"“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle"

"The greatest lessons we can apply to our lives have already been figured out, and have been echoed by philosophy over and over, for ages."

"1: They Respect — And Exercise — Their Power Over Their Reactions"

"“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Epictetus"

"2: They See Happiness As A Decision, Not A Goal"

"There is an internal aspect, and it is this: to give yourself permission to be happy."

"3: They Listen More Than They Speak"

"“Practice really hearing what people say. Do your best to get inside their minds.” — Marcus Aurelius"

"4: They Have A Vivid Direction In Life — And A Purpose"

"“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.” — Lucius Annaeus Seneca"

"“People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time — even when hard at work.”"

"5: They Are Truly Kind"

"“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” — Lucius Annaeus Seneca"

"Kindness is the mark of a great spirit, a noble heart, and is indeed a trait seen by philosophy as a strength rather than a weakness."

"6: They Do Not Rely On Luck"

"“I was once a fortunate man but at some point fortune abandoned me. But true good fortune is what you make for yourself. Good fortune: good character, good intentions, and good actions.” — Marcus Aurelius"

"7: They Are Intellectually Humble"

"“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” — Epictetus"

"As Epictetus, and many philosophers before and after him have taught, a greater person is the one who accepts the limits of his or her knowledge, and seeks not to be right, but simply truth."

"“If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one’s own self-deception and ignorance.”"

"8: They Practice The Art Of Contentment"

"“Any man who does not think that what he has is more than ample, is an unhappy man, even if he is the master of the whole world.” — Epicurus"

"Wealth is a mindset."

"9: They Are Not Ashamed To Ask For Help"

"Asking for help takes strength."

"10: They Take Full Responsibility For Their Lives"

"“You have to assemble your life yourself — action by action. And be satisfied if each one achieves its goal, as far as it can. No one can keep that from happening.” — Marcus Aurelius"

"11: They Radically Protect Their Focus"

"“The value of attentiveness varies in proportion to its object. You’re better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.” — Marcus Aurelius"

"12: They Are Filled With Love"

"“If you wished to be loved, love.” — Lucius Annaeus Seneca"

"“There is no enjoying the possession of anything valuable unless one has someone to share it with.”"

"Learning Together"

"Above average people are filled with love for others, and are not afraid to show it."