Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

What did Agrippinus say when facing his trial? He said, "I won't get in my own way." When someone told him his trial was happening in the Senate, he said: "I hope it goes well. But it's the fifth hour"—this was when he normally exercised and took a cold bath—"let's go exercise." After his workout, someone came and said, "You've been condemned." "To exile," he asked, "or death?" "Exile." "What about my property?" "They didn't take it." "Then let's go to Aricia and have dinner."

Discourses, Of the Things Which Are in Our Power and not in Our Power 4 of 388
Calm Your Mind Facing Hardship Freedom & Control
Epictetus — The Slave Original

What then did Agrippinus say? He said, "I am not a hindrance to myself." When it was reported to him that his trial was going on in the Senate, he said: "I hope it may turn out well; but it is the fifth hour of the day"—this was the time when he was used to exercise himself and then take the cold bath,—"let us go and take our exercise." After he had taken his exercise, one comes and tells him, "You have been condemned." "To banishment," he replies, "or to death?" "To banishment." "What about my property?" "It is not taken from you." "Let us go to Aricia then," he said, "and dine."

Discourses, Of the Things Which Are in Our Power and not in Our Power 4 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

What should you have ready when facing such situations? This: Know what belongs to you and what doesn't. Know what you're allowed to do and what you're not. I must die. Do I have to die crying about it? I must be chained up. Do I have to cry about that too? I must go into exile. Does anyone stop me from going with a smile, cheerfully and content? "Tell me your secret," they demand. "I won't," you say, "because that's up to me." "But I'll chain you up." What are you talking about? Chain me up? You can shackle my leg, but not even Zeus himself can overpower my will. "I'll throw you in prison." You mean my poor body. "I'll cut your head off." When did I ever tell you that my head can't be cut off? These are the things philosophers should think about. They should write about them daily. They should practice them.

Discourses, Of the Things Which Are in Our Power and not in Our Power 3 of 388
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Epictetus — The Slave Original

What then should a man have in readiness in such circumstances? What else than this? What is mine, and what is not mine; and what is permitted to me, and what is not permitted to me. I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment? Tell me the secret which you possess. I will not, for this is in my power. But I will put you in chains. Man, what are you talking about? Me, in chains? You may fetter my leg, but my will not even Zeus himself can overpower. I will throw you into prison. My poor body, you mean. I will cut your head off. When then have I told you that my head alone cannot be cut off? These are the things which philosophers should meditate on, which they should write daily, in which they should exercise themselves.

Discourses, Of the Things Which Are in Our Power and not in Our Power 3 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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