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Control Only What You Can
Your opinions, judgments, and responses are yours. External events are not. Direct your energy accordingly.
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The Present Is All You Have
Past and future exist only in thought. The present moment is the only arena where life actually happens.
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Death Makes Life Urgent
You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do, say, and think. Memento mori.
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The Obstacle Is the Way
What stands in the way becomes the way. Every impediment is material for virtue and growth.
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Your Judgments Create Suffering
Remove the judgment 'this is bad' and the hurt disappears. Things are neutral — your mind adds the rest.
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Begin Each Day Prepared
Expect to meet the ungrateful, arrogant, and dishonest. They cannot harm you unless you let them disturb your peace.
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We Are Made for Cooperation
Humans exist for one another. Teach them or bear with them — to harm another is to harm yourself.
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Strip Things to Their Essence
See the thing itself — what is it in its nature? A feast is a dead fish, wine is rotted grapes. See clearly, act wisely.
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Fame Is Meaningless
Those who remember you will soon be dead themselves. Endless generations have already been forgotten. So will we.
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Return to Your Principles
When disturbed, return immediately to yourself and your guiding truths. The longest journey back is delay.
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Everything Changes
Loss is nothing but change, and change is nature's delight. What you fear losing was never truly yours.
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Do Less, Better
Most of what we say and do is unnecessary. Eliminate it and gain time and tranquility both.
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The Mind Retreats Into Itself
You don't need mountains or beaches for peace. Retreat into yourself — no place is quieter or freer.
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Waste No Time Arguing
Don't debate what a good person should be. Simply be one. Action proves character that words never can.
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Accept Your Lot
Amor fati — love your fate. What happens to you was prescribed for you. The thread was spun long ago.
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Others Cannot Hurt You
Choose not to be harmed and you won't feel harmed. Don't feel harmed and you haven't been.
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Work Without Complaint
A horse after a race, a bee after making honey — neither asks for praise. Do your work, then move on.
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The Cosmic View
Seen from above, human affairs are small. Empires rise and fall like anthills. This perspective brings peace.
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Character Is Destiny
Your life is dyed the color of your thoughts. What you think upon, you become. Guard your inner citadel.
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It Is Enough
If you do the task before you with diligence, goodwill, and reverence — that is enough. Nothing more is required.
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