“,,,but to be instructed is this, to learn to wish that everything may happen as it does.” Discourses

“The poor body must be separated from the spirit either now or later, as it was separated from it before.” Discourses Book 2 Chapter 1

And will you now, when the opportunity invites, go and display those things which you possess, and recite them, and make an idle show, and say, “See how I make dialogues?” Do not so, my man: but rather say: “See how I am not disappointed of that which I desire. See how I do not fall into that which I would avoid. Set death before me, and you will see. Set before me pain, prison, disgrace and condemnation.” This is the proper display of a young man who is come out of the schools. But leave the rest to others, and let no one ever hear you say a word about these things; and if any man commends you for them, do not allow it; but think that you are nobody and know nothing. Only show that you know this, how never to be disappointed in your desire and how never to fall into that which you would avoid. –Discoures Book 2 Chapter 1

The healthy eye ought to see all visible things and not to say, I wish for green things; for this is the condition of a diseased eye. And the healthy hearing and smelling ought to be ready to perceive all that can be heard and smelled. And the healthy stomach ought to be with respect to all food just as the mill with respect to all things which it is formed to grind. And accordingly the healthy understanding ought to be prepared for everything which happens; but that which says, Let my dear children live, and let all men praise whatever I may do, is an eye which seeks for green things, or teeth which seek for soft things. Epictetus’ Enchiridion