Theme
Patience
229 passages
- Cleanthes In every difficulty keep these words ready: Lead me, God and Fate, toward the end appointed for me. I will follow;…
- Diogenes Laertius When a young man spoke foolishly, Zeno told him: ‘We have two ears and one mouth so that we may listen twice as much…
- Epictetus A fine and good person neither quarrels nor, as far as possible, permits quarrelling. Education teaches what belongs…
- Epictetus A philosopher's school is a clinic, not a pleasure hall. We should leave it challenged, because we arrive unwell.
- Epictetus At the first impression, do not be swept away. Tell it: wait, let me learn what you are and test you.
- Epictetus Begin therefore from little things. Is a little oil spilt? A little wine stolen? Say to yourself, "This is the price…
- Epictetus Difficulties reveal character. When a trial meets you, think of it as a younger training partner sent by a coach.…
- 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 Duties are universally measured by relations. Is anyone a father? If so, it is implied that the children should take…
- Epictetus Eat, drink, dress, marry, raise children, take part in civic life, and bear difficult relatives and neighbors. Show by…
- Epictetus Endure a demanding winter of training; do not rush into work for which you have made no preparation.
- Epictetus Every capacity is strengthened by the actions that match it: walking by walking, running by running. Anger likewise…
- Epictetus Every matter has two handles: one by which it can be carried, another by which it cannot. When a brother wrongs you,…
- Epictetus For a time, do not advertise your philosophy. Let it grow like seed hidden in the soil until it is mature; fruit shown…
- Epictetus For remember that, if you adhere to the same point, those very persons who at first ridiculed will afterwards admire…
- Epictetus I teach and you learn in my school. I seek to make you whole: unimpeded, free of compulsion, unashamed, flourishing,…
- Epictetus If you are defeated and say you will overcome, yet continue exactly as before, you will grow so weak that eventually…
- Epictetus If you are struck by the appearance of any promised pleasure, guard yourself against being hurried away by it; but let…
- Epictetus If you do not want to be quick-tempered, stop feeding the practice. Begin by staying calm and counting the days; as…
- Epictetus In company, do not dwell too often or at length on your achievements and misfortunes; your own stories delight you…
- 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 Life resembles a campaign: one person keeps watch, another scouts, another stands in the front line. Each life is a…
- Epictetus Live as though at a shared feast. When something comes to you, take a modest portion. If it passes, do not grab after…
- Epictetus People who take in doctrines and immediately recite them resemble an ill stomach returning its food. Let teachings be…
- Epictetus Philosophers tell us not to stop at learning: add practice and training, or time will make us forget our lessons and…
- Epictetus Philosophy is preparation for whatever may come. One who has prepared to endure can say to each trial: this is what my…
- Epictetus Remember, that not he who gives ill language or a blow insults, but the principle which represents these things as…
- Epictetus Remember that you are an actor in a drama, assigned a role by another. Your task is to play it well, whether it is…
- Epictetus Show me someone cheerful in illness, danger, death, exile, or disgrace. If not a complete Stoic, then show me one who…
- Epictetus Socrates said: as one person enjoys tending a field and another training a horse, I enjoy improving myself each day.
- Epictetus The soul is like water and impressions like light upon it. When water is stirred, the light seems to move, though it…
- Epictetus We do not give up our efforts merely because perfect mastery is beyond us.
- Epictetus We govern our rational choice and whatever follows from that moral will. Beyond our control are the body and its…
- Epictetus When attention slips, do not assume you can recover it at will. Though error is unavoidable, keep striving not to let…
- Epictetus When pleasure presents itself, do not be swept away. Delay your response. Consider both the enjoyment now and the…
- Epictetus When you are going about any action, remind yourself what nature the action is. If you are going to bathe, picture to…
- Epictetus When you see anyone weeping in grief because his son has gone abroad, or is dead, or because he has suffered in his…
- Epictetus With every accident, ask yourself what abilities you have for making a proper use of it. If you see an attractive…
- Marcus Aurelius A branch is cut off by another, but he that hates and is averse, cuts himself off from his neighbour, and knows not…
- Marcus Aurelius A man without ever the least appearance of anger, or any other passion; able at the same time most exactly to observe…
- 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 Again, how he was no backbiter, nor easily frightened, nor suspicious, and in his language free from all affectation…
- Marcus Aurelius All men are made one for another: either then teach them better, or bear with them.
- Marcus Aurelius Anger and grief often harm us more than the events that first stirred them.
- Marcus Aurelius Another cause succeedeth, and undertakes the work, and in time brings a child (that wonderful effect from such a…
- Marcus Aurelius As a physician's prescription aims at healing, so nature may prescribe illness, disability, or hardship for the work…
- Marcus Aurelius As for the use of thy dogmata, thou must carry thyself in the practice of them, rather like unto a pancratiastes, or…
- Marcus Aurelius As they that long after figs in winter when they cannot be had; so are they that long after children, before they be…
- 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 At the conceit and apprehension that such and such a one hath sinned, thus reason with thyself; What do I know whether…
- Marcus Aurelius Be it all one unto thee, whether half frozen or well warm; whether only slumbering, or after a full sleep; whether…
- Marcus Aurelius Do not ever conceive anything impossible to man, which by thee cannot, or not without much difficulty be effected; but…
- Marcus Aurelius Ever consider and think upon the world as being but one living substance, and having but one soul, and how all things…
- Marcus Aurelius Every soul lacks truth unwillingly; the same is true of justice, moderation, and goodwill. Keep this in mind, and you…
- Marcus Aurelius First, do not be shaken. Then look directly at the task, remembering that your aim is to be a good person. Do what…
- Marcus Aurelius Fit and accommodate thyself to that estate and to those occurrences, which by the destinies have been annexed unto…
- Marcus Aurelius From Alexander the Grammarian, to be un-reprovable myself, and not reproachfully to reprehend any man for a barbarism,…
- Marcus Aurelius Him that offends, to teach with love and meek ness, and to show him his error. But if thou canst not, then to blame…
- 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 someone scorns me, that is their concern. Mine is to do and say nothing shameful. If someone hates me, I will…
- Marcus Aurelius If thou shalt intend that which is present, following the rule of right and reason carefully, solidly, meekly, and…
- 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 it not a cruel thing to forbid men to affect those things, which they conceive to agree best with their own…
- Marcus Aurelius It is most needful that thou shouldst always remember this. For so shalt thou be far more gentle and moderate towards…
- 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 shameful when the spirit gives up before the body does.
- Marcus Aurelius It is that, that all men have ever been subject unto. That thou camest therefore I am not angry with thee, only…
- Marcus Aurelius 'It will but little avail thee, to turn thine anger and indignation upon the things themselves that have fallen across…
- 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 this suffice. Add not presently speaking unto thyself, What serve these things for in the world? For, this, one…
- Marcus Aurelius Living resembles wrestling more than dancing, for it demands readiness to meet and withstand sudden, unforeseen attacks.
- Marcus Aurelius No operation whatsoever it he, ceasing for a while, can be truly said to suffer any evil, because it is at an end.…
- Marcus Aurelius Not only now henceforth to have a common breath, or to hold correspondency of breath, with that air, that compasseth…
- Marcus Aurelius Of all unreasonable creatures, there is but one unreasonable soul; and of all that are reasonable, but one reasonable…
- Marcus Aurelius Of Catulus, not to contemn any friend's expostulation, though unjust, but to strive to reduce him to his former…
- Marcus Aurelius Of his, that thou mayest consider whether in the estate of ignorance, or of knowledge. And then also must thou call to…
- Marcus Aurelius Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. From the fame…
- Marcus Aurelius On waking, remind yourself that you will meet intrusive, ungrateful, vain, deceitful, jealous, and irritable people;…
- 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 may oppose your rational path but cannot prevent sound action. Do not let them drive away your goodwill; keep…
- Marcus Aurelius Remember, that as it is a shame for any man to wonder that a fig tree should bear figs, so also to wonder that the…
- Marcus Aurelius Sincere kindness cannot be overcome. What can a malicious person do when you remain kind and gently correct them, if…
- Marcus Aurelius So may every reasonable creature, what crosses and impediments soever it meets with in the course of this mortal life,…
- Marcus Aurelius Socrates said, 'What will you have? the souls of reasonable, or unreasonable creatures? Of reasonable. But what? Of…
- Marcus Aurelius That is best for every one, that the common nature of all doth send unto every one, and then is it best, when she doth…
- Marcus Aurelius The art of true living in this world is more like a wrestler's, than a dancer's practice. For in this they both agree,…
- Marcus Aurelius The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.
- Marcus Aurelius The end and object of a rational constitution is, to do nothing rashly, to be kindly affected towards men, and in all…
- Marcus Aurelius The finest revenge is refusing to become like the one who wronged you.
- Marcus Aurelius There is, who without so much as a coat; and there is, who without so much as a book, doth put philosophy in practice.…
- 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 grow together like fellow branches in matter of good correspondence and affection; but not in matter of opinions.…
- Marcus Aurelius To pierce and penetrate into the estate of every one's understanding that thou hast to do with: as also to make the…
- Marcus Aurelius To them that are sick of the jaundice, honey seems bitter; and to them that are bitten by a mad dog, the water…
- Marcus Aurelius Use thyself even unto those things that thou doest at first despair of. For the left hand we see, which for the most…
- Marcus Aurelius Use thyself when any man speaks unto thee, so to hearken unto him, as that in the interim thou give not way to any…
- Marcus Aurelius What a subject, and what a course of life is it, that thou doest so much desire to be rid of. For all these things,…
- Marcus Aurelius What is that that is slow, and yet quick? merry, and yet grave? He that in all things doth follow reason for his guide.
- Marcus Aurelius Whatsoever doth happen unto thee, thou art naturally by thy natural constitution either able, or not able to bear. If…
- Marcus Aurelius Whatsoever is expedient unto thee, O World, is expedient unto me; nothing can either be 'unseasonable unto me, or out…
- Marcus Aurelius When a training partner strikes you roughly, do not hate or suspect them; watch carefully and avoid wisely, without…
- Marcus Aurelius When anger begins to rise, remember: fury is not strength. Kindness and courtesy are more truly human, and thus more…
- Marcus Aurelius When another's fault provokes you, turn at once to your own related errors—your attachment to gain, pleasure, or…
- Marcus Aurelius When at any time thou art offended with any one's impudency, put presently this question to thyself: 'What? Is it then…
- Marcus Aurelius When circumstances throw you into confusion, recover yourself quickly. Do not remain out of rhythm longer than needed;…
- Marcus Aurelius When someone errs, correct them gently and show the overlooked point; if you cannot, fault yourself—or no one.
- Marcus Aurelius Whensoever any man doth trespass against other, presently consider with thyself what it was that he did suppose to be…
- 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 rage at bad breath or body odor? Such a body produces such effects. If someone can understand their impact, use…
- Marcus Aurelius You can humble your pride, master pleasure and pain, set ambition aside, and meet foolish, thankless people without…
- Marcus Aurelius Your guiding principles cannot be put out unless you extinguish the thoughts that sustain them, for new thoughts are…
- Musonius Rufus Some minds are quicker and some slower; some receive better formation than others. Those with poorer habits need more…
- Plutarch Cato cultivated the public speech that can move a people, but he did not rehearse for display and spoke only when he…
- Seneca A prince generally inflicts punishment for one of two reasons: he wishes either to assert his own rights or those of…
- Seneca All our senses should be educated into strength: they are naturally able to endure much, provided that the spirit…
- Seneca Among these and in the first place must be ranked that thrill of the mind which seizes us at the thought of…
- Seneca Anger must not merely move, but break out of bounds, being an impulse: now, no impulse can take place without the…
- Seneca Anger, therefore, is not useful even in wars or battles: for it is prone to rashness, and while trying to bring others…
- Seneca Anger tramples self-restraint underfoot, steeps its hands in slaughter, scatters abroad the limbs of its children: it…
- Seneca Atreus: Who would refuse fortune's overflowing gifts? Thyestes: One who knows how swiftly they can be withdrawn.
- Seneca “But the way by which we are asked to climb is steep and uneven.” What then? Can heights be reached by a level path?…
- Seneca Demochares, who was surnamed Parrhesiastes on account of his unbridled and impudent tongue, came on an embassy to him…
- Seneca Do not attempt to quell it all at once, for its first impulses are fierce; by plucking away its parts we shall remove…
- Seneca Every one when he calls himself innocent looks rather to external witnesses than to his own conscience. How much more…
- Seneca Fear itself harms many people; many meet the fate they dread because they lived in dread of it.
- Seneca Finally, the other passions seize upon individuals; anger is the only one which sometimes possesses a whole state. No…
- Seneca Fortune strikes hardest when it catches us unprepared; the person who expects change bears it more easily.
- Seneca Furthermore, that you may know in what manner passions begin and swell and gain spirit, learn that the first emotion…
- 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 follows others who have started before him on the wrong road is surely excusable for having wandered on the…
- Seneca He who says that the wise man can bear this and cannot bear that, and restrains his magnanimity within certain limits,…
- Seneca He who strives with a man makes himself that man’s rival, and must be on equal terms with him before he can overcome…
- Seneca Hecato says: no herbs, potions, or spells are needed for this charm—if you want love, begin by loving.
- Seneca Hence it is that we call some regions wet or dry, warm or cold. The same distinctions apply likewise to animals and…
- Seneca How will he endure the tumult of the world, and make head against so many most active foes, if he be conquered by so…
- Seneca “I am not a wise man, and I will not be one in order to feed your spite: so do not require me to be on a level with…
- Seneca I call you unfortunate because you have met no adversity. You have gone through life without a rival, so neither you…
- Seneca I do not wish for pain, war, or illness; but if they come, I wish to meet them bravely and honorably. Seek not…
- Seneca I will effect this cure, if possible, with your goodwill: if you disapprove of my efforts, or dislike them, then you…
- Seneca If man, as they argue, seeks for quiet and repose, what virtue is there which is more agreeable to his nature than…
- Seneca If trained to do so, they are just as able to endure sorrow or labour. Ye good gods, do I say this in that very city…
- Seneca If you consider sexual passion to have been bestowed on mankind not for the sake of pleasure, but for 341the…
- Seneca In the same spirit in which we deal with boys, the wise man deals with all those whose childhood still endures after…
- Seneca In the same way cheerful pursuits soothe unhealthy minds. We must avoid law courts, pleadings, verdicts, and…
- Seneca In this very same instance I will give you an example of a good prince, which you may compare with a good father.
- 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 better, therefore, to conquer it than to cheat it; for a grief which has been deceived and driven away either by…
- Seneca It is better to overcome grief than to trick it.
- Seneca It is hard, no doubt, for a mind which has received so rude a shock to betake itself so quickly to these livelier…
- Seneca It is like a wild animal whose struggles only pull the noose by which it is caught tighter; or like birds who, while…
- Seneca It is like Homer’s Achilles, 258lying first upon its face, then upon its back, placing itself in various attitudes,…
- Seneca It is that of good parents, who sometimes scold their children goodnaturedly, sometimes threaten them, and sometimes…
- Seneca It is too late to school the mind to endurance of peril after peril has come. “I did not think this would happen,” and…
- Seneca Let him rise in the presence of his elders. Let him obtain nothing by flying into a passion: let him be given when he…
- Seneca Let not his confidence be without knowledge, nor his knowledge without steadfastness: let him always abide by what he…
- Seneca Let not our ears be easily lent to calumnious talk: let us know and be on our guard against this fault of human…
- Seneca Let us add, if you please, to these grounds of complaint the disposition of the youth himself, cut off in the midst of…
- 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 look back upon our own youth, and think how often we then were too slothful in our duty, too impudent in our…
- Seneca Let us praise one who deserves such constant praises, and say, “The braver you are the happier you are!
- Seneca Life's many hardships teach the lesson of silence.
- Seneca Men who are in this condition are never allowed to come to themselves: if ever by chance they obtain any rest, they…
- Seneca Morning can find someone exalted and evening find them low. Do not rely too much on success or despair of hardship;…
- 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 Nevertheless Bibulus, who during the whole of his year of office had remained hidden in his house, to cast reproach…
- Seneca No creature is more self-willed, requires more careful management, or ought to be treated with greater indulgence than…
- Seneca No one therefore could console you as well as he: when he speaks his words have greater weight, as though they were…
- Seneca Nothing can be imagined which is more becoming to a sovereign than clemency, by whatever title and right he may be set…
- Seneca Nothing, however, will be of so much service as to consider, first, the hideousness, and, secondly, the danger of…
- Seneca Nothing will happen that I cannot receive without bitterness. The burdens that provoke complaint are part of life's due.
- Seneca Of these wrongs which drive you frantic, some will grow lighter after an interval, not of a day, but even of an hour:…
- Seneca Philosophy asks for a simple life, not a punishing one; simplicity need not be harsh or crude.
- Seneca Readiness to believe what we hear causes very great mischief; we ought often not even to listen, because in some cases…
- Seneca Some are brought into this condition by disease or bodily injury, others by hard work, long watching, nights of…
- Seneca Some gifted minds grasp virtue quickly or generate it themselves. Others, dulled by poor habits, need persistent…
- Seneca Some one has offered you an insult? Not a greater one, probably, than was offered to the Stoic philosopher Diogenes,…
- Seneca Some people, through too little effort rather than inconsistency, are so unsettled that they do not live as they wish;…
- Seneca Some stories may be so construed as to appear to be insults: wherefore it is best to put some aside, to laugh at…
- Seneca Sorrow is awkward at reviewing the position of affairs, at devising useful expedients, avoiding dangerous courses, and…
- Seneca Take unhurried walks outdoors, so the open air and deep breath may restore and feed the mind.
- 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 difference between it and irascibility is evident: it is the same as that between a drunken man and a drunkard;…
- Seneca The former belongs to an over-weak mind, the latter to an over-hard one. Let the wise man be moderate, and when things…
- Seneca The former will say to you, “In my talk I express the most admirable sentiments, yet I am still weltering amid…
- Seneca The same girl, who would have shrunk from the remedy if he had applied it openly, bore the pain because she did not…
- Seneca The sinner ought, therefore, to be corrected both by warning and by force, both by gentle and harsh means, and may be…
- Seneca The two sects of Epicureans and Stoics differ widely in most respects, and on this point among the rest, nevertheless,…
- Seneca The unlearned think that its opposite is strictness: but no virtue is the opposite of another virtue. What, then, is…
- Seneca The wrongs of the powerful must not only be borne, but borne with a cheerful countenance: they will repeat the wrong…
- Seneca There is a lesser form of injury, which we must complain of rather than avenge, which the laws also have considered…
- Seneca There is, therefore, no reason for a service which is useless if it is not felt by him who is the object of it, and…
- 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 Think, moreover, how full of risk is the great task which you have undertaken: you have to deal with the human…
- Seneca We are infuriated at being reproved, either by reprimand or actual chastisement, although we are sinning at that very…
- Seneca When hurrying to besiege Babylon, since in making war it is above all things important to seize one’s opportunity, he…
- 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 When you are especially enjoying yourself, be especially on your guard: when everything seems to you to be peaceful,…
- Seneca Whenever you are engaged in other pursuits your mind will be relieved from its burden: at present you keep watch over…
- Seneca Why be indignant? Why protest? This is the task for which we are made.
- Seneca Why make misfortune heavier by lamenting it? It is the stronger course to meet adversity directly. The more precarious…
- Seneca Why, though you are hardly aware of it, is there not a whirling hurricane at this moment spinning round and confusing…
- Seneca Work through your troubles: difficult times can be eased, narrow passages opened, and heavy burdens lightened by…
- Seneca You 158should approach him in different ways and in a compliant fashion, unless perchance you be so great a personage…
- Seneca You are as yet only in the first stage of error, and do not go wrong seriously, although you do so often: then I will…
- Seneca You ask me, whither does all this tend? To prove, I answer, that no one should imagine himself to be safe from anger,…
- Seneca You ask what difference there is between them? All that there is between two very brave gladiators, one of whom…
- Seneca You cannot tell whether this vice is more execrable or more disgusting. Other vices can be concealed and cherished in…
- Seneca You have asked me, Lucilius, why, if the world be ruled by providence, so many evils befall good men?
- Seneca You have no grounds for excusing yourself on the ground of being a woman, who has a sort of right to weep without…
- Seneca You lost your most affectionate uncle, a brave and excellent man, just when you were awaiting his return: and, lest…
- Seneca You may as well say—“What then? When a good man sees his father or his son being cut down, I suppose he will not weep…
- Seneca You may be sure that one who showed such boldness as a child would end by becoming a great pest both in public and in…
- Seneca You must be aware that none of them know how to behave, whether to mention Drusus in your presence or not, as they…
- Seneca You never would deny me anything, and I hope, though all grief is obstinate, that you will surely not refuse me this…
- Seneca You say, “I am deprived of the embraces of my darling son, I cannot enjoy the pleasure of seeing him and of hearing…
- Seneca You say, 'I am in terrible pain.' Does bearing it badly lessen the pain at all?
- Seneca You say that the wise man is not mad, yet you admit that he sometimes loses his reason, talks nonsense, and is driven…
- Seneca You say, that you do not believe that any one was ever scared out of anger by a mirror: and why not? Because when he…
- Seneca You see how free from any mental disturbance a man ought to be who has to weigh and consider all this, when he deals…
- Seneca You should know that good men ought to act in like manner, so as not to fear troubles and difficulties, nor to lament…
- Seneca You will more easily correct the men themselves by a slight punishment, for he who has some part of his fortune…
- Zeno Well-being is achieved through small advances, though it is itself no small achievement.