Discourses, On the Same — In Plain English

Epictetus — The Slave

"But I want to sit where the Senators sit." Do you see what you're doing to yourself? You're putting yourself in a tight spot. You're squeezing yourself into a corner. "But how else can I get a good view in the amphitheatre?" Man, don't be a spectator at all. Then you won't get squeezed. Why are you making trouble for yourself? Or just wait a little. When the show is over, go sit in the Senators' section and enjoy the sun. Remember this basic truth: we squeeze ourselves. We put ourselves in tight spots. Our opinions do this to us. What does it mean to be insulted? Go stand by a stone and insult it. What will you accomplish? Nothing. If a person listens like a stone, what does the insulter gain? Nothing. But if the insulter can use the weakness of the person being insulted as a stepping-stone, then he gets somewhere. "Strip him." What do you mean by "him"? "Grab his clothes and strip them off." "I have insulted you." Good for you.

Epictetus — The Slave Original

But I should like to sit where the Senators sit. Do you see that you are putting yourself in straits, you are squeezing yourself? How then shall I see well in any other way in the amphitheatre? Man, do not be a spectator at all, and you will not be squeezed. Why do you give yourself trouble? Or wait a little, and when the spectacle is over, seat yourself in the place reserved for the Senators and sun yourself. For remember this general truth, that it is we who squeeze ourselves, who put ourselves in straits; that is, our opinions squeeze us and put us in straits. For what is it to be reviled? Stand by a stone and revile it, and what will you gain? If then a man listens like a stone, what profit is there to the reviler? But if the reviler has as a stepping-stone (or ladder) the weakness of him who is reviled, then he accomplishes something. Strip him. What do you mean by him? Lay hold of his garment, strip it off. I have insulted you. Much good may it do you.