Wisdom from Epictetus

Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a
tranquil flow of life.

Enchiridion VIII


Whoever then wishes to be free, let him neither wish for anything, nor avoid anything which depends on others: if he does not observe this rule, he must be a slave.

Enchiridion XIV

Let death and exile and every other thing which appears dreadful be daily before your eyes; but most of all death: and you will never think
of anything mean nor will you desire anything extravagantly.

Enchiridion XXI

When you are going to meet with any person, and particularly one of those who are considered to be in a superior condition, place before yourself what Socrates or Zeno would have done in such circumstances, and you will have no difficulty in making a proper use of the occasion.

Enchiridion XXXIII
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The condition and characteristic of an uninstructed person is this: he never expects from himself profit (advantage) nor harm, but from externals. The condition and characteristic of a philosopher is this: he expects all advantage and all harm from himself. The signs (marks) of one who is making progress are these: he censures no man, he praises no man, he blames no man, he accuses no man, he says nothing about himself as if he were somebody or knew something; when he is impeded at all or hindered, he blames himself: if a man praises him, he ridicules the praiser to himself: if a man censures him, he makes no defense: he goes about like weak persons, being careful not to move any of the things which are placed, before they are firmly fixed: he removes all desire from himself, and he transfers aversion to those
things only of the things within our power which are contrary to nature: he employs a moderate movement toward everything: whether he is
considered foolish or ignorant, he cares not: and in a word he watches himself as if he were an enemy and lying in ambush.

Enchiridion XLVIII

Check (punish) your passions that you may not be punished by them.

Enchiridion

If you wish to be well spoken of, learn to speak well (of others): and when you have learned to speak well of them, try to act well, and so you will reap the fruit of being well spoken of.

Enchiridion

Nothing is smaller (meaner) than love of pleasure, and love of gain and pride. Nothing is superior to magnanimity, and gentleness, and love of mankind, and beneficence.

Enchiridion

No man is free who is not master of himself.

Enchiridion

When our friends are present, we ought to treat them well; and when they are absent, to speak of them well.

Enchiridion