Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

"When will I see Athens again? When will I see the Acropolis?" Are you serious? You're not satisfied with what you see every day? Is there anything better or greater than the sun, the moon, the stars, the whole earth, the sea? If you truly understand the power that runs everything — and if you carry that understanding within yourself — do you really still crave little stones and pretty rocks?

Discourses, That We Do not Strive to Use Our Opinions About Good and Evil 168 of 388
What Matters Most Calm Your Mind
Epictetus — The Slave Original

When then shall I see Athens again and the Acropolis? Wretch, are you not content with what you see daily? Have you anything better or greater to see than the sun, the moon, the stars, the whole earth, the sea? But if indeed you comprehend Him who administers the whole, and carry him about in yourself, do you still desire small stones and a beautiful rock?

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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?

Discourses, That We Do not Strive to Use Our Opinions About Good and Evil 167 of 388
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.

Discourses, That We Do not Strive to Use Our Opinions About Good and Evil 167 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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