Freedom is secured not by the fulfilling of men's desires, but by the removal of desire.

To get or not to get what we desire can be equally disappointing.

Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions.

Desire and happiness cannot live together.

The flourishing life cannot be achieved until we moderate our desires and see how superficial and fleeting they are.