Pay attention only to the form; emotion will come spontaneously to inhabit it. A perfect dwelling always finds an inhabitant. The artist’s business is to build the dwelling; as for the inhabitant, it is up to the reader to provide him. Reflections on Literature and Morality
I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment? Discourses
Find time still to be learning somewhat good, and give up being desultory. Meditations
Fortune, seeing that she could not make fools wise, has made them lucky. Essays
Quotes