Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

Why do you agree with something? Because it seems true to you. You can't agree with something that seems false. Why not? Because that's how your mind works. It naturally leans toward what seems true. It rejects what seems false. When things are unclear, it holds back from deciding. Want proof? Try to convince yourself it's nighttime right now. You can't do it. Try to stop believing it's daytime. You can't do that either. Try to convince yourself that the stars are an even number. It's impossible.

Discourses, That We Ought not to Be Angry with Men; and What Are the Small and the Great Things Among Men 71 of 388
Knowing Yourself Human Nature
Epictetus — The Slave Original

What is the cause of assenting to anything? The fact that it appears to be true. It is not possible then to assent to that which appears not to be true. Why? Because this is the nature of the understanding, to incline to the true, to be dissatisfied with the false, and in matters uncertain to withhold assent. What is the proof of this? Imagine (persuade yourself), if you can, that it is now night. It is not possible. Take away your persuasion that it is day. It is not possible. Persuade yourself or take away your persuasion that the stars are even in number. It is impossible.

Discourses, That We Ought not to Be Angry with Men; and What Are the Small and the Great Things Among Men 71 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

Here's what causes all your mental disturbance: wanting something and then not getting it. So if I can change external things to match what I want, I change them. But if I can't, I'm ready to attack whoever gets in my way. Human nature refuses to lose what's good and refuses to fall into what's bad. Then finally, when I can neither change my situation nor attack the person blocking me, I sit down and complain. I curse whoever I can — Zeus and all the other gods. If they don't care about me, what good are they to me? "But you'll be godless." So what? How will that make things worse than they already are? Here's the bottom line: remember that unless being pious actually helps you, no one can stay pious. Don't these things seem obviously true?

Discourses, In How Many Ways Appearances Exist, and What Aids We Should Provide Against Them 70 of 388
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Epictetus — The Slave Original

For the origin of perturbation is this, to wish for something, and that this should not happen. Therefore if I am able to change externals according to my wish, I change them; but if I cannot, I am ready to tear out the eyes of him who hinders me. For the nature of man is not to endure to be deprived of the good, and not to endure the falling into the evil. Then at last, when I am neither able to change circumstances nor to tear out the eyes of him who hinders me, I sit down and groan, and abuse whom I can, Zeus and the rest of the gods. For if they do not care for me, what are they to me? Yes, but you will be an impious man. In what respect, then, will it be worse for me than it is now? To sum up, remember that unless piety and your interest be in the same thing, piety cannot be maintained in any man. Do not these things seem necessary (true)?

Discourses, In How Many Ways Appearances Exist, and What Aids We Should Provide Against Them 70 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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