The Enchiridion, Section 29 — In Plain English

Epictetus — The Slave

Some people hear a philosopher speak — someone like Euphrates, though really, who can speak like him? — and suddenly they want to be philosophers too. But first, think about what this really means. Think about what you're actually capable of. If you wanted to be a wrestler, you'd check your shoulders, your back, your thighs. Different people are built for different things. Do you think you can keep living exactly as you do now and be a philosopher? Keep eating, drinking, getting angry, and complaining like you always have? You'll have to stay alert. You'll have to work hard. You'll have to control certain desires. You'll have to leave some friends behind. Your servants will look down on you. People will laugh at you.

Epictetus — The Slave Original

Thus some, when they have seen a philosopher and heard a man speaking like Euphrates—though, indeed, who can speak like him?—have a mind to be philosophers, too. Consider first, man, what the matter is, and what your own nature is able to bear. If you would be a wrestler, consider your shoulders, your back, your thighs; for different persons are made for different things. Do you think that you can act as you do and be a philosopher, that you can eat, drink, be angry, be discontented, as you are now? You must watch, you must labor, you must get the better of certain appetites, must quit your acquaintances, be despised by your servant, be laughed at by those you meet;