That which Fortune has not given, she cannot take away. — Seneca the Younger

"It was a great deed to conquer Carthage, but a greater deed to conquer death."

"For this reason those who are tossed about at sea, who proceed uphill and downhill over toilsome crags and heights, who go on campaigns that bring the greatest danger, are heroes and front-rank fighters; but persons who live in rotten luxury and ease while others toil, are mere turtle-doves safe only because men despise them."

"Thus no fortune, no external circumstance, can shut off the wise man from action. For the very thing which engages his attention prevents him from attending to other things. He is ready for either outcome: if it brings goods, he controls them; if evils, he conquers them."

"But the wise man knows that all things are in store for him. Whatever happens, he says: “I knew it.”"

"Is it for this purpose that we are strong—that we may have light burdens to bear?"

"rursus prosperum ac felix scelus virtus vocatur; sontibus parent boni, ius est in armis, opprimit leges timor."