Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

When something tempting catches your eye, don't let it overwhelm you. Give yourself time. Don't rush into it. Picture two moments: the moment you'll enjoy the pleasure, and the moment afterward when you'll regret it and feel disappointed in yourself. Then picture how proud and happy you'll feel if you resist. Even if the temptation seems perfectly timed and reasonable, don't let it seduce you. Remember how much better it feels to win such a big victory over yourself.

The Enchiridion, Section 34 50 of 70
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Epictetus — The Slave Original

If you are dazzled by the semblance of any promised pleasure, guard yourself against being bewildered by it; but let the affair wait your leisure, and procure yourself some delay. Then bring to your mind both points of time—that in which you shall enjoy the pleasure, and that in which you will repent and reproach yourself, after you have enjoyed it—and set before you, in opposition to these, how you will rejoice and applaud yourself if you abstain. And even though it should appear to you a seasonable gratification, take heed that its enticements and allurements and seductions may not subdue you, but set in opposition to this how much better it is to be conscious of having gained so great a victory.

The Enchiridion, Section 34 50 of 70
Epictetus — The Slave

When you're with other people, don't constantly talk about your own actions and dangers. You might enjoy telling stories about the risks you've taken, but others don't find your adventures as interesting as you do. Also avoid trying too hard to make people laugh. This can easily make you seem crude, and it might lower you in your friends' opinions. Stay away from inappropriate conversations too. When someone starts talking that way, take the first chance you get to correct them. Or at least show you disapprove through your silence, by blushing, or by looking serious.

The Enchiridion, Section 33 49 of 70
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Epictetus — The Slave Original

In company, avoid a frequent and excessive mention of your own actions and dangers. For however agreeable it may be to yourself to allude to the risks you have run, it is not equally agreeable to others to hear your adventures. Avoid likewise an endeavor to excite laughter, for this may readily slide you into vulgarity, and, besides, may be apt to lower you in the esteem of your acquaintance. Approaches to indecent discourse are likewise dangerous. Therefore, when anything of this sort happens, use the first fit opportunity to rebuke him who makes advances that way, or, at least, by silence and blushing and a serious look show yourself to be displeased by such talk.

The Enchiridion, Section 33 49 of 70
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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