Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

The tools you gave me for understanding how you run the world and following your plan — I haven't ignored them. I haven't dishonored you with my actions. Look at how I've used my thoughts and beliefs. Have I ever blamed you? Have I complained about what happens, or wished things were different? Have I tried to break the natural order of things? You gave me life, and I thank you for what you gave me. As long as I've used what belongs to you, I'm satisfied. Take it all back and put it wherever you want — everything was yours to begin with. You just let me borrow it. Isn't this enough — to leave with this attitude? What life is better than one lived with this mindset? What death could be happier?

Discourses, What Things We Ought to Despise and What Things We Ought to Value 372 of 388
Death & Mortality Calm Your Mind What Matters Most
Epictetus — The Slave Original

The means which I have received from thee for seeing thy administration (of the world) and following it I have not neglected; I have not dishonored thee by my acts; see how I have used my perceptions, see how I have used my preconceptions; have I ever blamed thee? have I been discontented with anything that happens, or wished it to be otherwise? have I wished to transgress the (established) relations (of things)? That thou hast given me life, I thank thee for what thou hast given. So long as I have used the things which are thine I am content. Take them back and place them wherever thou mayest choose, for thine were all things, thou gavest them to me. Is it not enough to depart in this state of mind? and what life is better and more becoming than that of a man who is in this state of mind? and what end is more happy?

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Epictetus — The Slave

I would want death to find me doing something truly human — something helpful, good for everyone, and noble. But if I can't be doing something that great, I'd at least want to be doing what no one can stop me from doing. Things I'm always allowed to do: working on myself, training my mind to handle whatever happens, staying calm and untroubled, and treating the people in my life with respect. If I manage that much, maybe I'll even make progress on the hardest part — judging things correctly. If death catches me working on these things, that's enough. I can raise my hands to God and say:

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Death & Mortality Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Epictetus — The Slave Original

I, for my part, would wish to be found doing something which belongs to a man, beneficent, suitable to the general interest, noble. But if I cannot be found doing things so great, I would be found doing at least that which I cannot be hindered from doing, that which is permitted me to do, correcting myself, cultivating the faculty which makes use of appearances, laboring at freedom from the affects (laboring at tranquillity of mind); rendering to the relations of life their due. If I succeed so far, also (I would be found) touching on (advancing to) the third topic (or head) safety in forming judgments about things. If death surprises me when I am busy about these things, it is enough for me if I can stretch out my hands to God and say:

Discourses, What Things We Ought to Despise and What Things We Ought to Value 371 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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