Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

Why did you want to be elected governor of the Cnossians? Because of your opinion. Why are you going to Rome now? Because of your opinion. And why are you going in winter, with danger and expense? "I have to go." What tells you that? Your opinion. So if opinions cause all actions, and someone has bad opinions, then bad results follow bad causes. Do we all have good opinions — you and your opponent? How are you different from him? Do you have better opinions than your opponent? Why? Because you think so. And he thinks his opinions are better too. So do crazy people. That's a terrible way to judge.

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Knowing Yourself Human Nature
Epictetus — The Slave Original

For what is the reason why you desired to be elected governor of the Cnossians? Your opinion. What is the reason that you are now going up to Rome? Your opinion. And going in winter, and with danger and expense? I must go. What tells you this? Your opinion. Then if opinions are the causes of all actions, and a man has bad opinions, such as the cause may be, such also is the effect! Have we then all sound opinions, both you and your adversary? And how do you differ? But have you sounder opinions than your adversary? Why? You think so. And so does he think that his opinions are better; and so do madmen. This is a bad criterion.

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Epictetus — The Slave

A man came to Epictetus. The man was heading to Rome for a lawsuit about his social status. Epictetus asked why he was going to Rome. Then the man asked what Epictetus thought about his case. Epictetus replied: "If you ask me what will happen in Rome — whether you'll win or lose — I have no way to predict that. But if you ask me how you'll handle it, I can tell you: If your thinking is right, you'll do well. If your thinking is wrong, you'll suffer. Your opinions drive everything you do."

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Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Epictetus — The Slave Original

When a certain person came to him, who was going up to Rome on account of a suit which had regard to his rank, Epictetus inquired the reason of his going to Rome, and the man then asked what he thought about the matter. Epictetus replied: If you ask me what you will do in Rome, whether you will succeed or fail, I have no rule ([Greek: theoraema]) about this. But if you ask me how you will fare, I can tell you: if you have right opinions ([Greek: dogmata]), you will fare well; if they are false, you will fare ill. For to every man the cause of his acting is opinion.

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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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