Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

Don't be eager to attend private readings and performances. But if you do go, stay serious and dignified. Just don't make yourself unpleasant to be around.

When you're about to meet with someone, especially someone who seems more important than you, ask yourself how Socrates or Zeno would handle it. Then you'll know what to do when things come up.

When you're going to see someone powerful, imagine that they might not be home. The doors might be locked. They might ignore you completely. If it's still your duty to go, accept whatever happens. Never tell yourself afterward, "That wasn't worth the trouble." That's petty thinking. It's what people do when they're controlled by things outside themselves.

The Enchiridion, Section 33 48 of 70
Knowing Yourself Freedom & Control
Epictetus — The Slave Original

Be not prompt or ready to attend private recitations; but if you do attend, preserve your gravity and dignity, and yet avoid making yourself disagreeable.

When you are going to confer with anyone, and especially with one who seems your superior, represent to yourself how Socrates or Zeno would behave in such a case, and you will not be at a loss to meet properly whatever may occur.

When you are going before anyone in power, fancy to yourself that you may not find him at home, that you may be shut out, that the doors may not be opened to you, that he may not notice you. If, with all this, it be your duty to go, bear what happens and never say to yourself, "It was not worth so much"; for this is vulgar, and like a man bewildered by externals.

The Enchiridion, Section 33 48 of 70
Epictetus — The Slave

If someone tells you that a person is talking badly about you, don't make excuses for what was said. Instead, say: "He doesn't know my other faults, or he wouldn't have mentioned just those."

You don't need to go to public events often. But if there's a good reason to attend, don't worry about anyone except yourself. Want things to happen exactly as they do. Want the best person to win. This way, nothing will disappoint you. Don't cheer, boo, or get worked up. When you leave, don't spend a lot of time talking about what happened — especially if it doesn't help you improve. Talking too much about the event shows you were impressed by the spectacle.

The Enchiridion, Section 33 47 of 70
Calm Your Mind Knowing Yourself
Epictetus — The Slave Original

If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you, but answer: "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone."

It is not necessary for you to appear often at public spectacles; but if ever there is a proper occasion for you to be there, do not appear more solicitous for any other than for yourself—that is, wish things to be only just as they are, and only the best man to win; for thus nothing will go against you. But abstain entirely from acclamations and derision and violent emotions. And when you come away, do not discourse a great deal on what has passed and what contributes nothing to your own amendment. For it would appear by such discourse that you were dazzled by the show.

The Enchiridion, Section 33 47 of 70
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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