The Best Of Stoico Wisdom [Part-2] - Epicteus

Stoicism is a philosophy set to teach people to set mind from worries about things we can't control.

It teaches to distantiate oneself from fear and anxiety by living life in the present moment.

Everyone can draw some good teaching from the Stoico, so let's head to the path of eternal wisdom.

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Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are our own actions, things not in our control are not our actions. If you suppose that only to be your own which is your own and what belongs to others as it really is, then you will find fault with no one or accuse no one.

If you are concerning about something then examine it first; if it concerns anything not in our control, then be prepared it has nothing to do with you.

Aiming therefore at such great things, remember that you must not allow yourself to be carried, even with a slight tendency, towards the attainment of lesser things. Instead, you must entirely quit some things and for the present postpone the rest.

You are but an appearance, and not exactly the thing you appear to be.

With regard to whatever objects give you delight, are useful, or are deeply loved, remember to tell yourself of what general nature they are, beginning from the most insignificant things. If, for example, you are fond of a specific ceramic cup, remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general of which you are fond. Then, if it breaks, you will not be disturbed. If you kiss your child, or your wife, say that you only kiss things which are human, and thus you will not be disturbed if either of them dies.

Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things. Death, for instance, is not terrible, But the terror consists in our notion of death that it is terrible.

Don't demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.

Whatever you possess, take care of it; but don't view it as your own, just as travellers view a hotel.

If you want to improve, reject such reasonings as these: "If I don't correct my servant, he will be bad." For it is better be your servant should be bad, than you unhappy. He is by no means of such importance that it should be in his power to give you any disturbance.

Remember, that not he who gives ill language or a blow insults, but the principle which represents these things as insulting. When, therefore, anyone provokes you, be assured that it is your own opinion which provokes you.

Let death and exile, and all other things which appear terrible be daily before your eyes, but chiefly death, and you win never entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet anything.

In life, those very persons who at first ridiculed will afterwards admire you. But if you are conquered by them, you will incur a double ridicule.

For another will not hurt you unless you please. You will then be hurt when you think you are hurt.

Be for the most part silent, or speak merely what is necessary, and in few words.

Provide things relating to the body no further than mere use; as food, drink, clothing, house, family. But strike off and reject everything relating to show and delicacy.

If anyone tells you that such a person speaks ill of you, don't make excuses about what is said of you, but answer: " He does not know my other faults, else he would not have mentioned only these.

If you are struck by the appearance of any promised pleasure, guard yourself against being hurried away 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 will enjoy the pleasure, and that in which you will repent and reproach yourself after you have enjoyed it.

These reasonings are unconnected: "I am richer than you, therefore I am better"; "I am more eloquent than you, therefore I am better." The connection is rather this: "I am richer than you, therefore my property is greater than yours;" "I am more eloquent than you, therefore my style is better than yours." But you, after all, are neither property nor style.

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