Seneca, Natural Questions I.1

Of human life the time is a point, the substance flowing, the perception dull... The only thing that escorts a man on his way is philosophy.

If thou wouldst be at rest, do little. But it is better to do necessary things, and as many as the reason of a social animal requires, and as it requires.

Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.