Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

Bad actors in tragedies can't sing by themselves. They need a whole group around them. Some people are like this — they can't walk around alone. But you, if you're worth anything, should be able to walk by yourself and talk to yourself. Don't hide in the crowd. Take some time to examine yourself. Look around. Wake yourself up. Figure out who you are.

Discourses, Certain Miscellaneous Matters 251 of 388
Knowing Yourself Freedom & Control
Epictetus — The Slave Original

As bad tragic actors cannot sing alone, but in company with many, so some persons cannot walk about alone. Man, if you are anything, both walk alone and talk to yourself, and do not hide yourself in the chorus. Examine a little at last, look around, stir yourself up, that you may know who you are.

Discourses, Certain Miscellaneous Matters 251 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

Any great power is dangerous for beginners. You must handle only what you can manage, and do it naturally. But not... Sometimes practice living like a sick person so that you can someday live like a healthy person.

Discourses, What Solitude Is, and What Kind of Person a Solitary Man is 250 of 388
Knowing Yourself Facing Hardship
Epictetus — The Slave Original

Every great power (faculty) is dangerous to beginners. You must then bear such things as you are able, but conformably to nature: but not ... Practise sometimes a way of living like a person out of health that you may at some time live like a man in health.

Discourses, What Solitude Is, and What Kind of Person a Solitary Man is 250 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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