A thoughtful quote each morning?

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.

— Epictetus

The materials of action are variable, but the use we make of them should be constant.

— Epictetus

In writing, I apply my feminine side and respect the mystery involved in creation.

— Paulo Coelho

In Buddhist culture, offering food to the monk symbolizes the action of goodness, and if you have no opportunity to support the practice of spirituality, then you are somehow left in the realm of darkness.

— Thich Nhat Hanh

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.

— Marcus Aurelius

Let your occupations be few," says the sage, "if you would lead a tranquil life.

— Marcus Aurelius

Partially undermining the manufacturer's ability to assert that its work constituted a meaningful contribution to mankind was the frivolous way in which it went about marketing its products. Grief was the only rational response to the news that an employee had spent three months devising a supermarket promotion based on an offer of free stickers of cartoon characters called the Fimbles. Why had the grown-ups so churlishly abdicated their responsibilities? Were there not more important ambitions to be met before Death showed himself on the horizon in his hooded black cloak, his scythe slung over his shoulder?

— Alain de Botton

I told you that your dream was a difficult one. It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand them.

— Paulo Coelho

You have two choices: to control your mind or to let your mind control you.

— Paulo Coelho

The universe is transformation: life is opinion.

— Marcus Aurelius

Remember this— that there is a proper dignity and proportion to be observed in the performance of every act of life.

— Marcus Aurelius

Once I found this possibility to use Twitter and Facebook and my blog to connect to my readers, I'm going to use it, to connect to them and to share thoughts that I cannot use in the book.

— Paulo Coelho

When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.

— Paulo Coelho

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.

— Epictetus

Most of us stand poised at the edge of brilliance, haunted by the knowledge of our proximity, yet still demonstrably on the wrong side of the line, our dealings with reality undermined by a range of minor yet critical psychological flaws (a little too much optimism, an unprocessed rebelliousness, a fatal impatience or sentimentality). We are like an exquisite high-speed aircraft which for lack of a tiny part is left stranded beside the runway, rendered slower than a tractor or bicycle.

— Alain de Botton

Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, sea-shores, and mountains; and thou too art wont to desire such things very much. But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself. For nowhere either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble does a man retire than into his own soul.

— Marcus Aurelius

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

— Lao Tzu

A man's worth is no greater than his ambitions.

— Marcus Aurelius

If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible.

— Epictetus

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

— Marcus Aurelius