Marcus Aurelius

from Meditations:

Think of those most radical in their causes: those who have been most conspicuous through fame or tragedy or hostility or success of some sort. Then think — Where are they now?

Smoke and ash and perhaps a story. Or perhaps not even a story.

Now, keep that thought in mind:

Everything ends up exactly the same.

. . .

Finally, think of the single-minded pursuit of anything having to do with pride; and think of the worthlessness of everything human beings violently pursue; and then think how much more philosophical it is in all life’s pursuits to be just, temperate, and reverent, and to do all this with simplicity — because the pride that is proud of not having pride is the most intolerable of all. (12.27)