“A trifle consoles us, for a trifle distresses us.”

“Little things comfort us because little things distress us.”

“Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for miseries and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.”

“Happiness is neither within us only, or without us; it is the union of ourselves with God”

“We run heedlessly into the abyss after putting something in front of us to stop us seeing it.”

“The Stoics say, " Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true. Others say, "Go out of yourselves; seek happiness in amusement." And this is not true. Illness comes. Happiness is neither without us nor within us. It is in God, both without us and within us.”

“We run carelessly over the precipice after having put something in front of us to prevent us seeing it.”