Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

How are you any better than someone who cries over losing a girlfriend? You grieve for a small gym, some walkways, young people, and places where you used to have fun. Another person complains that he can no longer drink the water from Dirce. Is the Marcian water really worse than Dirce water? "But I was used to Dirce water." And you'll get used to the other water too. Then if you get attached to that water as well, you'll cry about losing it too. You might as well write dramatic poetry like Euripides: "The hot baths of Nero and the Marcian water." See how people turn ordinary events into tragedies when they act foolishly?

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Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Epictetus — The Slave Original

In what respect are you better than he who cries for a girl, if you grieve for a little gymnasium, and little porticos, and young men, and such places of amusement? Another comes and laments that he shall no longer drink the water of Dirce. Is the Marcian water worse than that of Dirce? But I was used to the water of Dirce. And you in turn will be used to the other. Then if you become attached to this also, cry for this too, and try to make a verse like the verse of Euripides, The hot baths of Nero and the Marcian water. See how tragedy is made when common things happen to silly men.

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Epictetus — The Slave

And what is this divine law? Keep what is truly yours. Don't claim what belongs to others. Use what is given to you. When it's not given, don't want it. When something is taken away, let it go quickly and willingly. Be grateful for the time you had it. Otherwise, you're no different from a child crying for their nurse or mother. What does it matter what controls you or what you depend on?

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Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Epictetus — The Slave Original

And what is the divine law? To keep a man's own, not to claim that which belongs to others, but to use what is given, and when it is not given, not to desire it; and when a thing is taken away, to give it up readily and immediately, and to be thankful for the time that a man has had the use of it, if you would not cry for your nurse and mamma. For what matter does it make by what thing a man is subdued, and on what he depends?

Discourses, That We Do not Strive to Use Our Opinions About Good and Evil 166 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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