Pleasure seeking

The pursuit of pleasure, whether it’s a needle in the arm or a trip to St. Barts, always takes place against a background of pain. True happiness can only be found inside the self.

Action!

Love acts, ego reacts.

Don’t take it personally

People do and say things because of who they are, not because of who you are.

Reacting to misfortune

It cannot be called a failing if our reaction to someone else’s misfortune is understated and perfunctory—provided, of course, that when we ourselves experience misfortune, our reaction is also understated and perfunctory.

Pause

We pause to contemplate the unbridgeable gulf between a reaction and a response.