Theme
Control
293 passages
- Chrysippus A happy, well-ordered life comes from bringing one's own guiding spirit into harmony with the will that governs the…
- Diogenes Laertius Heraclitus called self-deceit a dreadful sickness, and even sight a sense that can mislead.
- Epictetus A fine and good person neither quarrels nor, as far as possible, permits quarrelling. Education teaches what belongs…
- Epictetus A good person's material for work is their governing reason, as a physician works on bodies and a farmer on land.
- Epictetus A philosopher brings the will into accord with events, so that nothing arrives wholly against it and no wish is…
- Epictetus A public platform and a cell are both places, one elevated and one lowly; yet in either your power of choice can…
- Epictetus A sound beginning in philosophy is to recognize clearly one's own governing mind.
- Epictetus At the first impression, do not be swept away. Tell it: wait, let me learn what you are and test you.
- Epictetus Consider what you are: before all else, a human being whose greatest power is reasoned choice, governing all else and…
- Epictetus Do not demand events follow your preference; prefer events as they occur, and life will go more smoothly.
- Epictetus Don't demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.
- Epictetus Don't stop it. Is it not yet come? Don't stretch your desire towards it, but wait till it reaches you. Do this with…
- Epictetus Events make us fearful when we judge that others control them. A stronghold falls not chiefly to fire or steel, but to…
- Epictetus Free is the one who lives without compulsion or obstruction in their choices, whose aims are sound and whose aversions…
- Epictetus Good and bad lie in our deliberate choices. Things outside choice are neither good nor bad in themselves.
- Epictetus Good lies in a certain use of rational choice, and evil in another. Externals are merely material for that choice,…
- Epictetus Guard the good that is yours in every action. With all else, use what comes as reason allows; otherwise you will be…
- Epictetus Guard your impressions constantly. What you defend is no minor possession: your dignity, reliability, steadiness,…
- Epictetus Habit has great force. Since we are accustomed to chasing and avoiding what lies beyond our choice, we must build the…
- Epictetus If a person gave your body to any stranger he met on his way, you would certainly be angry. And do you feel no shame…
- Epictetus If you call what is servile free, or claim as yours what belongs to another, you will be frustrated and accusing.…
- Epictetus If you cherish anything outside your reasoned choice, you endanger your freedom of choice.
- Epictetus If you do not want to be quick-tempered, stop feeding the practice. Begin by staying calm and counting the days; as…
- Epictetus If you ever happen to turn your attention to externals, so as to wish to please anyone, be assured that you have…
- Epictetus If you seek something good, draw it from yourself.
- Epictetus If you turn your will toward what is outside your control merely to impress another, you have ruined your purpose. Be…
- Epictetus If you wish your children, and your wife, and your friends to live for ever, you are stupid; for you wish to be in…
- Epictetus It is absurd to demand, ‘Tell me exactly what to do.’ Ask instead to train your mind to meet every circumstance, so…
- Epictetus It is not only longing for money or rank that makes us dependent. Longing for quiet, leisure, travel, or learning can…
- Epictetus It is not the person who insults or strikes that injures you, but your judgment that you have been injured. When anger…
- Epictetus Keep this ready at dawn, by day, and at night: the road to contentment is to release everything outside your choice,…
- Epictetus Keep two rules ready: nothing is good or bad except our reasoned choice, and we should follow events rather than try…
- Epictetus Learn to live as a healthy person lives: with confidence in what is dependable, unhindered, and cannot be taken—your…
- Epictetus Life's foremost work is this: distinguish matters clearly, so I can tell myself which are external and beyond my…
- Epictetus Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things. Death, for…
- Epictetus Misfortune, quarrels, blame, and agitation are judgments outside our choice. Restrict judgment to choice, and peace…
- Epictetus My will has not been blocked or compelled, because I have joined my choices to the will of the divine. If it wills…
- Epictetus Nothing outside my chosen judgment can obstruct or injure it; only it can damage itself. When we fail, blame no one…
- Epictetus People are troubled not by events, but by the judgments they form about events.
- Epictetus Put no faith in reputation, wealth, or rank, but in your judgments about what is and is not yours to control. That is…
- Epictetus Remember that following desire promises the attainment of that of which you are desirous; and aversion promises the…
- Epictetus Remember, that not he who gives ill language or a blow insults, but the principle which represents these things as…
- Epictetus Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to your ability to choose, unless that is your choice. Lameness is a…
- Epictetus Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a…
- Epictetus Some things depend on us and others do not. Our judgments, choices, desires, aversions, and actions are ours. Body,…
- Epictetus Stop accusing gods and people. Govern your desires, avoid only what your judgment can govern, and release anger,…
- Epictetus The condition and characteristic of a vulgar person, is, that he never expects either benefit or hurt from himself,…
- Epictetus The free person has what they will under every condition; whoever can be forced, restrained, or driven against their…
- Epictetus The gods left us the ruling power: the ability to use appearances well, which governs all else. They gave no more, not…
- Epictetus The good person is unconquerable because they do not enter contests where they are weak. Others may take possessions,…
- Epictetus The mind's proper business is choosing and declining, pursuing and avoiding, preparing, intending, and assenting. What…
- Epictetus The third topic, then, is necessary on the account of the second, and the second on the account of the first. But the…
- Epictetus There are three fields in which the person seeking wisdom and goodness must train. First are desire and aversion, so…
- Epictetus True education is learning to apply our natural ideas properly, and to distinguish what depends on us from what does…
- Epictetus We govern our rational choice and whatever follows from that moral will. Beyond our control are the body and its…
- Epictetus We test money with great care, yet for our governing mind we drowse, accepting every appearance that comes along.
- Epictetus What can be stopped, seized, or compelled is not truly one’s own; what cannot be hindered belongs to us.
- Epictetus What makes a person unimpeded and self-directed? Not wealth, office, public rank, or kingship. It is something else:…
- Epictetus When a painful impression comes, say: you are only an impression, not necessarily what you seem. Test whether it…
- Epictetus When a raven happens to croak unluckily, don't allow the appearance hurry you away with it, but immediately make the…
- Epictetus When any person harms you, or speaks badly of you, remember that he acts or speaks from a supposition of its being his…
- Epictetus When caution is directed toward one's own judgments and actions, one also gains the power to avoid harm. But when…
- Epictetus When I encounter someone anxious, I ask what they are seeking. If they sought nothing beyond their own power, what…
- Epictetus When troubling news reaches you, remember that no report can damage your power of choice. It may tell you of death;…
- Epictetus When walking, you are careful not to step on a nail or turn your foot; so likewise be careful not to hurt the ruling…
- Epictetus When you have recourse to divination, remember that you know not what the event will be, and you come to learn it of…
- Epictetus Whenever you accuse providence, reconsider the matter and you may find that what occurred accords with reason.
- Epictetus Who is unconquerable? The person whom nothing outside a considered choice can throw into disorder.
- Epictetus Why call on heaven to remove your trouble? Were you not given hands? Wipe your own nose rather than hunting for…
- Epictetus You are not your body or your style of hair, but your faculty for choosing well; make your choices fine, and you will…
- Epictetus You may be unconquerable, if you enter into no combat in which it is not in your own control to conquer.
- Epictetus You may restrain my body, but not even the highest god can destroy my power to choose.
- Epictetus You would rage if a stranger handed your body to another; yet you give your mind to every passerby to trouble and…
- Heraclitus Wisdom is one thing: keep your attention on the ruling intelligence that directs all else.
- Marcus Aurelius A black or malign disposition, an effeminate disposition; an hard inexorable disposition, a wild inhuman disposition,…
- Marcus Aurelius A very ridiculous thing it is, that any man should dispense with vice and wickedness in himself, which is in his power…
- Marcus Aurelius Accept then, and be pleased with whatsoever doth happen, though otherwise harsh and un-pleasing, as tending to that…
- Marcus Aurelius Add nothing beyond the first report. Someone speaks badly of you; that is all reported, not that you are harmed. A…
- Marcus Aurelius After one consideration, man is nearest unto us; as we are bound to do them good, and to bear with them. But as he may…
- Marcus Aurelius Alexander, Caius, Pompeius; what are these to Diogenes, Heraclitus, and Socrates? These penetrated into the true…
- Marcus Aurelius And indeed we must needs commit many evils, if we incline to any of these things, more or less, with an opinion of any…
- Marcus Aurelius Another cause succeedeth, and undertakes the work, and in time brings a child (that wonderful effect from such a…
- Marcus Aurelius As every fancy and imagination presents itself unto thee, consider (if it be possible) the true nature, and the proper…
- Marcus Aurelius As thou dost purpose to live, when thou hast retired thyself to some such place, where neither roarer nor harlot is:…
- Marcus Aurelius As virtue and wickedness consist not in passion, but in action; so neither doth the true good or evil of a reasonable…
- Marcus Aurelius Attend carefully to what is said and to what follows from each deed; in action seek its aim, and in speech its meaning.
- Marcus Aurelius Behold and observe, what is the state of their rational part; and those that the world doth account wise, see what…
- Marcus Aurelius But as for those which by the vulgar are esteemed good, if he shall hear them mentioned as good, he doth hearken for…
- Marcus Aurelius Cast away from thee opinion, and thou art safe. And what is it that hinders thee from casting of it away?
- Marcus Aurelius Collect yourself. As one waking from a troubling dream sees it for what it was, wake up and see that the things…
- Marcus Aurelius Conceit no such things, as he that wrongeth thee conceiveth, or would have thee to conceive, but look into the matter…
- Marcus Aurelius Consider all matter and your tiny share; all time and your nearly instant portion; all fate and your minute place…
- Marcus Aurelius Consider how many different things, whether they concern our bodies, or our souls, in a moment of time come to pass in…
- Marcus Aurelius Consider with thyself how man, and by what part of his, is joined unto God, and how that part of man is affected, when…
- Marcus Aurelius Death is a cessation from the impression of the senses, the tyranny of the passions, the errors of the mind, and the…
- Marcus Aurelius Do not approach philosophy like a strict overseer. Go to it as the sick go for treatment: for sore eyes, a burn, or a…
- Marcus Aurelius Do not be tossed about. Bring every impulse before justice, and preserve your sound judgment whenever appearances…
- Marcus Aurelius Do not grant circumstances the power to awaken your anger; they take no notice of it.
- Marcus Aurelius Do not grieve over it, and do not let yourself be thrown into turmoil.
- Marcus Aurelius Do, soul, do; abuse and contemn thyself; yet a while and the time for thee to respect thyself, will be at an end.…
- Marcus Aurelius Either all things by the providence of reason happen unto every particular, as a part of one general body; and then it…
- Marcus Aurelius Either fate, (and that either an absolute necessity, and unavoidable decree; or a placable and flexible Providence) or…
- Marcus Aurelius Enough of this wretched complaining. Stop idling. What troubles you? Look at the cause or at the matter itself. As for…
- Marcus Aurelius Every particular nature hath content, when in its own proper course it speeds. A reasonable nature doth then speed,…
- Marcus Aurelius Everything depends on the judgment you attach to it, and that judgment is yours. Remove it when you choose, and you…
- Marcus Aurelius For not observing the state of another man's soul, scarce was ever any man known to be unhappy. Tell whosoever they be…
- Marcus Aurelius Forbear henceforth to complain of the trouble of a courtly life, either in public before others, or in private by…
- Marcus Aurelius Four several dispositions or inclinations there be of the mind and understanding, which to be aware of, thou must…
- Marcus Aurelius Free from all compulsion in all cheerfulness and alacrity thou mayst run out thy time, though men should exclaim…
- Marcus Aurelius Generally then, whatsoever it be, besides virtue, and those things that proceed from virtue that thou art subject to…
- Marcus Aurelius Go to the quality of the cause from which the effect doth proceed. Behold it by itself bare and naked, separated from…
- Marcus Aurelius Has another done wrong to me? That is for him to consider; he has his own character and concerns. I have what…
- Marcus Aurelius Hast thou reason? I have. Why then makest thou not use of it? For if thy reason do her part, what more canst thou…
- Marcus Aurelius He is a true fugitive, that flies from reason, by which men are sociable. He blind, who cannot see with the eyes of…
- Marcus Aurelius Honour that which is chiefest and most powerful in the world, and that is it, which makes use of all things, and…
- Marcus Aurelius How does your ruling mind govern itself? Everything else, whether chosen or not, is merely smoke and a lifeless thing…
- Marcus Aurelius How easy a thing is it for a man to put off from him all turbulent adventitious imaginations, and presently to be in…
- Marcus Aurelius How good it is to reject a disturbing, alien impression and at once restore peace within.
- Marcus Aurelius I answer, That which thou sayest is true indeed, but the true meaning of that which is said, thou dost not understand.…
- Marcus Aurelius I consist of body and soul. Unto my body all things are indifferent, for of itself it cannot affect one thing more…
- Marcus Aurelius If a cucumber is bitter, discard it. If thorns block the way, go around them. Why ask why such irritations exist?…
- Marcus Aurelius if any should put this question unto thee, how this word Antoninus is written, wouldst thou not presently fix thine…
- Marcus Aurelius If asked to spell your name, you would give the letters calmly, even if the questioner became angry. So remember that…
- Marcus Aurelius If he have sinned, his is the harm, not mine. But perchance he hath not.
- Marcus Aurelius If it were that thou hadst at one time both a stepmother, and a natural mother living, thou wouldst honour and respect…
- Marcus Aurelius If it were thine act and in thine own power, wouldest thou do it? If it were not, whom dost tin accuse? the atoms, or…
- Marcus Aurelius If once round and solid, there is no fear that ever it will change.
- Marcus Aurelius If someone scorns me, that is their concern. Mine is to do and say nothing shameful. If someone hates me, I will…
- Marcus Aurelius If they can do nothing, why doest thou pray? If they can, why wouldst not thou rather pray, that they will grant unto…
- Marcus Aurelius If this neither be my wicked act, nor an act anyways depending from any wickedness of mine, and that by it the public…
- Marcus Aurelius If thou canst but withdraw conceit and opinion concerning that which may seem hurtful and offensive, thou thyself art…
- Marcus Aurelius If thou shalt intend that which is present, following the rule of right and reason carefully, solidly, meekly, and…
- Marcus Aurelius If we call good and bad only what depends on our own choice, we have no reason to accuse the gods or resent other…
- Marcus Aurelius In another man's mind and understanding thy evil Cannot subsist, nor in any proper temper or distemper of the natural…
- Marcus Aurelius In sum, either there is a God, and then all is well; or if all things go by chance and fortune, yet mayest thou use…
- Marcus Aurelius In the country of the Quadi at Granua, these. Betimes in the morning say to thyself, This day I shalt have to do with…
- Marcus Aurelius Is this then a thing of that worth, that for it my soul should suffer, and become worse than it was? as either basely…
- Marcus Aurelius It is against himself that he doth offend: why should it trouble thee? Hath anything happened unto thee? It is well,…
- Marcus Aurelius It is high time for thee, to understand that there is somewhat in thee, better and more divine than either thy…
- Marcus Aurelius It is in my power concerning this thing that is happened, what soever it be, to conceit that which is right and true.…
- Marcus Aurelius It is in thy power absolutely to exclude all manner of conceit and opinion, as concerning this matter; and by the same…
- Marcus Aurelius It is not by way of any suspicious indignation, but by way of gentle and friendly declination. Keep the same mind and…
- Marcus Aurelius it is not thine, but another man's sin. Why should it trouble thee? Let him look to it, whose sin it is.
- Marcus Aurelius 'It will but little avail thee, to turn thine anger and indignation upon the things themselves that have fallen across…
- Marcus Aurelius Keep thyself to the first bare and naked apprehensions of things, as they present themselves unto thee, and add not…
- Marcus Aurelius Let him look to that. He is master of his own disposition, and of his own operation. I for my part am in the meantime…
- Marcus Aurelius Let not that chief commanding part of thy soul be ever subject to any variation through any corporal either pain or…
- Marcus Aurelius Let not the general representation unto thyself of the wretchedness of this our mortal life, trouble thee. Let not thy…
- Marcus Aurelius Let not things future trouble thee. For if necessity so require that they come to pass, thou shalt (whensoever that…
- Marcus Aurelius Let opinion be taken away, and no man will think himself wronged. If no man shall think himself wronged, then is there…
- Marcus Aurelius Look in, let not either the proper quality, or the true worth of anything pass thee, before thou hast fully…
- Marcus Aurelius Many of those things that trouble and straiten thee, it is in thy power to cut off, as wholly depending from mere…
- Marcus Aurelius My reasoned choice is independent of my neighbor’s, as of their body or breath. Though made for cooperation, each…
- Marcus Aurelius Nature gives rational beings the power to turn obstacles and opposition toward their purpose; each person can make a…
- Marcus Aurelius No man can hinder thee to live as thy nature doth require. Nothing can happen unto thee, but what the common good of…
- Marcus Aurelius Not to wander out of the way, but upon every motion and desire, to perform that which is just: and ever to be careful…
- Marcus Aurelius Nothing can block the purposes of your mind. Fire, weapons, rulers, insults, and every other threat leave it untouched.
- Marcus Aurelius Of everything that presents itself unto thee, to consider what the true nature of it is, and to unfold it, as it were,…
- Marcus Aurelius Of the same nature is sickness and death; slander, and lying in wait, and whatsoever else ordinarily doth unto fools…
- Marcus Aurelius Of these the two former, are so far forth thine, as that thou art bound to take care for them. But the third alone is…
- Marcus Aurelius Of things that are external, happen what will to that which can suffer by external accidents. Those things that suffer…
- Marcus Aurelius Or if thou do, return unto them again with all possible speed. And remember, that the word ἔμφρων notes unto thee an…
- Marcus Aurelius Others may block an act, but not your purpose or disposition. The mind can adapt, making a barrier serve its aim: what…
- Marcus Aurelius People seek refuge in the country, at the shore, and in the hills; yet at any moment they may withdraw into…
- Marcus Aurelius Pray in another way: not to possess what you crave, but to be free of the craving; not for another's ruin, but for…
- Marcus Aurelius Pursuing what cannot be achieved is folly; yet the ignoble person pursues nothing else.
- Marcus Aurelius Reason moves freely when it accepts no falsehood, aims only at the common good, desires only what it can govern, and…
- Marcus Aurelius Remember that all is but opinion and conceit, for those things are plain and apparent, which were spoken unto Monimus…
- Marcus Aurelius Remember that all is but opinion, and all opinion depends of the mind. Take thine opinion away, and then as a ship…
- Marcus Aurelius Remember that thy mind is of that nature as that it becometh altogether unconquerable, when once recollected in…
- Marcus Aurelius Remove the belief that you have been harmed, and the harm is removed; remove the sense of injury, and injury vanishes.
- Marcus Aurelius Return quickly to your own reason, to the reason of the whole, and to your neighbor's: make your mind just, remember…
- Marcus Aurelius Secondly, when she either is averse from any man, or led by contrary desires or affections, tending to his hurt and…
- Marcus Aurelius Spectacle, strife, fright, dullness, and servility destroy our principles whenever the mind receives them without…
- Marcus Aurelius Stir up thy mind, and recall thy wits again from thy natural dreams, and visions, and when thou art perfectly awoken,…
- Marcus Aurelius Such and such things, from such and such causes, must of necessity proceed. He that would not have such things to…
- Marcus Aurelius Take me and throw me where thou wilt: I am indifferent. For there also I shall have that spirit which is within me…
- Marcus Aurelius Tell yourself: you are no longer to be ruled like a slave by every urge. Do not be jerked about by each impulse; stop…
- Marcus Aurelius That inward mistress part of man if it be in its own true natural temper, is towards all worldly chances and events…
- Marcus Aurelius That which must be the subject of thy consideration, is either the matter itself, or the dogma, or the operation, or…
- Marcus Aurelius The ambitious supposeth another man's act, praise and applause, to be his own happiness; the voluptuous his own sense…
- Marcus Aurelius The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.
- Marcus Aurelius The final ends and consummations of actions are nothing at all to a man's nature. The end therefore of a man, or the…
- Marcus Aurelius The matter itself, of which the universe doth consist, is of itself very tractable and pliable. That rational essence…
- Marcus Aurelius The natural properties, and privileges of a reasonable soul are: That she seeth herself; that she can order, and…
- Marcus Aurelius The rational commanding part, as it alone can stir up and turn itself; so it maketh both itself to be, and everything…
- Marcus Aurelius The rational soul knows itself, examines itself, and chooses itself; it gathers the fruit of its own purpose.
- Marcus Aurelius The second is, that he yield not to any lusts and motions of the flesh. For it is the part and privilege of the…
- Marcus Aurelius The things themselves that affect us, they stand without doors, neither knowing anything themselves nor able to utter…
- Marcus Aurelius The things themselves (which either to get or to avoid thou art put to so much trouble) come not unto thee themselves;…
- Marcus Aurelius The time of a man's life is as a point; the substance of it ever flowing, the sense obscure; and the whole composition…
- Marcus Aurelius There by thyself to put these questions to thyself or to enter in these considerations: What is my chief and principal…
- Marcus Aurelius There is not any man that is so happy in his death, but that some of those that are by him when he dies, will be ready…
- Marcus Aurelius These things thou must always have in mind: What is the nature of the universe, and what is mine—in particular: This…
- Marcus Aurelius Things pursued or avoided do not rush at you; in a sense you move toward them. Keep your judgment steady, and they too…
- Marcus Aurelius This day I did come out of all my trouble. Nay I have cast out all my trouble; it should rather be for that which…
- Marcus Aurelius This may ever be my comfort and security: my understanding, that ruleth over all, will not of itself bring trouble and…
- Marcus Aurelius This purple robe, but sheep's hairs, dyed with the blood of a shellfish. So for coitus, it is but the attrition of an…
- Marcus Aurelius This, what is it in itself, and by itself, according to its proper constitution? What is the substance of it? What is…
- Marcus Aurelius Those things that are his own, and in his own power, he himself takes order, for that they be good: and as for those…
- Marcus Aurelius Those who chase applause make their welfare depend on others; lovers of pleasure make it depend on sensation. The…
- Marcus Aurelius Thou mayest always speed, if thou wilt but make choice of the right way; if in the course both of thine opinions and…
- Marcus Aurelius Thou must be like a promontory of the sea, against which though the waves beat continually, yet it both itself stands,…
- Marcus Aurelius To be capable of fancies and imaginations, is common to man and beast. To be violently drawn and moved by the lusts…
- Marcus Aurelius To be cheerful, and to stand in no need, either of other men's help or attendance, or of that rest and tranquillity,…
- Marcus Aurelius To desire things impossible is the part of a mad man. But it is a thing impossible, that wicked man should not commit…
- Marcus Aurelius To steal, to sow, to buy, to be at rest, to see what is to be done (which is not seen by the eyes, but by another kind…
- Marcus Aurelius To these ever-present helps and mementoes, let one more be added, ever to make a particular description and…
- Marcus Aurelius To wipe away fancy, to use deliberation, to quench concupiscence, to keep the mind free to herself.
- Marcus Aurelius Today I escaped pressure—or rather cast it out—for it was not in events but in the judgments I made about them.
- Marcus Aurelius Unto my free-will my neighbour's free-will, whoever he be, (as his life, or his bode), is altogether indifferent. For…
- Marcus Aurelius Upon every action that thou art about, put this question to thyself; How will this when it is done agree with me?…
- Marcus Aurelius We can withhold judgment about a thing and keep it from disturbing the mind, because things themselves do not form our…
- Marcus Aurelius We love ourselves readily, yet often value others' judgment above our own. We give great weight to our peers' opinions…
- Marcus Aurelius What are their minds and understandings; and what the things that they apply themselves unto: what do they love, and…
- Marcus Aurelius What art thou, that better and divine part excepted, but as Epictetus said well, a wretched soul, appointed to carry a…
- Marcus Aurelius What is it then that should be dear unto us? to hear a clattering noise? if not that, then neither to be applauded by…
- Marcus Aurelius What is the present estate of my understanding? For herein lieth all indeed. As for all other things, they are without…
- Marcus Aurelius What is the use that now at this present I make of my soul? Thus from time to time and upon all occasions thou must…
- Marcus Aurelius What use is there of suspicion at all? or, why should thoughts of mistrust, and suspicion concerning that which is…
- Marcus Aurelius Whatever others say or do, I am bound to goodness—like gold or an emerald that keeps its own color regardless of what…
- Marcus Aurelius Whatsoever I am, is either flesh, or life, or that which we commonly call the mistress and overruling part of man;…
- Marcus Aurelius Whatsoever in any kind doth happen to any one, is expedient to the whole. And thus much to content us might suffice,…
- Marcus Aurelius Whatsoever it be that happens unto thee, it is that which from all time was appointed unto thee. For by the same…
- Marcus Aurelius When an external event disturbs you, the trouble lies not in the event but in your judgment of it—and that judgment…
- Marcus Aurelius When anger begins to rise, remember: fury is not strength. Kindness and courtesy are more truly human, and thus more…
- Marcus Aurelius Whensoever by some present hard occurrences thou art constrained to be in some sort troubled and vexed, return unto…
- Marcus Aurelius Whether of those things that happened unto him by God's appointment, he neither did wonder at any when it did happen,…
- Marcus Aurelius Why should imprudent unlearned souls trouble that which is both learned, and prudent? And which is that that is so?…
- Marcus Aurelius Will any contemn me? let him look to that, upon what grounds he does it: my care shall be that I may never be found…
- Marcus Aurelius Will either passengers, or patients, find fault and complain, either the one if they be well carried, or the others if…
- Marcus Aurelius Wipe away false impressions by telling yourself continually: my soul can exclude any evil, desire, or disturbance. I…
- Marcus Aurelius Wipe off all idle fancies, and say unto thyself incessantly; Now if I will, it is in my power to keep out of this my…
- Marcus Aurelius Word after word, every one by itself, must the things that are spoken be conceived and understood; and so the things…
- Marcus Aurelius You consist of body, breath, and mind. The first two are entrusted to your care; only the mind is truly your own.
- Marcus Aurelius You have suffered greatly because you would not let your ruling mind perform the work for which it was made. Enough.
- Marcus Aurelius You say fortune once met you everywhere. Yet fortunate people create their own fortune through a well-ordered soul,…
- Seneca A prince generally inflicts punishment for one of two reasons: he wishes either to assert his own rights or those of…
- Seneca Anger must not merely move, but break out of bounds, being an impulse: now, no impulse can take place without the…
- Seneca At the same time he reflects that all men are too low to venture to look down upon what is so far above them.
- Seneca Atreus: Who would refuse fortune's overflowing gifts? Thyestes: One who knows how swiftly they can be withdrawn.
- Seneca Call this security from loss poverty, want, necessity, or any contemptuous name you please: I shall consider such a…
- Seneca “Do you ask,” writes he, “what I am doing here? I am living in my Tusculan villa almost as a prisoner.” He adds more…
- Seneca Even quiet times can give the anxious mind new material for fear. Once the mind has learned to panic blindly, safety…
- Seneca Fortune's reach is shorter than we imagine; it besieges only those who cling to it. Let us withdraw from her as far as…
- Seneca Furthermore, that you may know in what manner passions begin and swell and gain spirit, learn that the first emotion…
- Seneca Give up hope and you will give up fear; both arise because we send our thoughts too far beyond the present.
- Seneca Have we got rid of the trouble of accusation? then we begin that of judging. Has a man ceased to be a judge? then he…
- Seneca He who restrains himself within the limits prescribed by 338nature, will not feel poverty; he who exceeds them will…
- Seneca He who, trusting to 33reason, passes through human affairs with godlike mind, has no quarter from which he can receive…
- Seneca If you consider sexual passion to have been bestowed on mankind not for the sake of pleasure, but for 341the…
- Seneca It is a womanish thing to rage with passion; it is the part of wild beasts, and that, too, not of the most noble ones,…
- Seneca It is, I repeat, the setting a great value on trifles that is the cause of your anger and madness. This 153man wanted…
- Seneca It is when one passion overpowers another, and either fear or greed gets the upper hand for a while. On such…
- Seneca Let us conceal its symptoms, and as far as possible keep it secret and hidden. It will give us great trouble to do…
- Seneca Let us decide by exact definition this other slippery matter, the true nature of pardon, and we shall then perceive…
- Seneca Let virtue lead the way and bear the standard: we shall have pleasure for all that, but we shall be her masters and…
- Seneca Life has no sound direction, and misery has no end, when we allow fear to rule.
- Seneca Nature demands from us a certain amount of grief, our imagination adds some more to it; but I will never forbid you to…
- Seneca Nothing honorable is done unwillingly or by force; every noble act is freely chosen.
- Seneca Philosophy is no performance for display. It deals in deeds, orders the soul and life, directs action, and guides us…
- Seneca See, on the other hand, how 210evil and guilty a slavery the man is forced to serve who is dominated in turn by…
- Seneca Show me one who is not enslaved: one serves lust, another money, another rank, and all serve fear. No bondage is more…
- Seneca Some are guided by reason, others must be confronted with authority and the names of celebrated persons, whose…
- Seneca Tantalus: What is the greatest power? Thyestes: To need nothing from it.
- Seneca The better a man is, the more frequently he is wont to suffer from your indiscriminate rage, you who are to be feared…
- Seneca The higher region of the universe, being more excellently ordered and near to the stars, is never gathered into…
- Seneca The inventor of wine is called Liber, not from the licence which he gives to our tongues, but because he liberates the…
- Seneca The man understands something to have happened: he becomes indignant thereat: he condemns the deed; and he avenges it.…
- Seneca The mind can carry out whatever orders it gives itself: some have succeeded in never smiling: some have forbidden…
- Seneca The position of all busy men is unhappy, but most unhappy of all is that of those who do not even labour at their own…
- Seneca The reasoning soul is stronger than every turn of fortune. From within itself it directs its life and makes it happy…
- Seneca The wise man escapes all this, since he knows not what it is to live for hope or for fear. Add to this, that no one…
- Seneca There is no reason for you to suppose me conquered and yourself my conqueror. It is your fortune which has overcome…
- Seneca There is therefore nothing great or noble in anger, even when it seems to be powerful and to contemn both gods and men…
- Seneca These arms, which Aristotle assigns to virtue, fight of their own accord, do not wait to be seized by the hand, and…
- Seneca Think you that the people could do any wrong to such a man when they tore away his praetorship or his toga? when they…
- Seneca True happiness, therefore, consists in virtue: and what will this virtue bid you do? Not to think anything bad or good…
- Seneca We might go on blaming fate much longer, but we cannot alter it: it stands harsh and inexorable: no one can move it by…
- Seneca “What then? Will there be no one who will try to do an injury to the wise man?” Yes, some one will try, but the injury…
- Seneca What, too, can be more unworthy of the wise man, than that his passions should depend upon the wickedness of others?…
- Seneca When he asked for the watchword Gaius at one time gave him “Venus,” and at another “Priapus,” and by various means…
- Seneca When men employ anger as the most powerful of agents, consider it to be a proof of power, and reckon a speedy revenge…
- Seneca Whoever uses philosophy to heal the self becomes high-minded, confident, and hard to defeat; their stature grows as…
- Seneca Why, though you are hardly aware of it, is there not a whirling hurricane at this moment spinning round and confusing…
- Seneca You cannot tell whether this vice is more execrable or more disgusting. Other vices can be concealed and cherished in…
- Seneca You dispose of that which is in the hand of Fortune, and you let go that which is in your own. Whither are you…
- Seneca You do not afford virtue a solid immoveable base if you bid it stand on what is unsteady: and what can be so unsteady…
- Seneca You do not shine outwardly, all your good qualities are turned inwards; even so does the world neglect what lies…
- Seneca You need not believe what others say about me: that you may not be puzzled by any uncertainty as to what to think, I…
- Seneca You need not think, because sometimes they call for death, that their lives are long: their folly torments them with…
- Seneca You will see that men are subject to the same influences as dumb animals: we are put out by trumpery, futile matters.…
- Zeno You may seize my body by force, but my mind remains with Stilpo.