Τίς εἶναι θέλεις, σαυτῷ πρῶτον εἰπέ: εἶθ' οὕτως ποίει ἃ ποιεῖς. (<i>First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do</i>.) - Epictetus

First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

First say to yourself what you would be;and then do what you have to do.

First, say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do

Τίς εἶναι θέλεις, σαυτῷ πρῶτον εἰπέ: εἶθ' οὕτως ποίει ἃ ποιεῖς.

Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit the evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble. It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now. You are not some disinterested bystander. Participate. Exert yourself. Respect your partnership with providence. Ask yourself often, How may I perform this particular deed such that it would be consistent with and acceptable to the divine will? Heed the answer and get to work. When your doors are shut and your room is dark, you are not alone. The will of nature is within you as your natural genius is within. Listen to its importunings. Follow its directives. As concerns the art of living, the material is your own life. No great thing is created suddenly. There must be time. Give your best and always be kind.

An ignorant person is one who is tossed about between elation and despair by external forces and events.

When you are feeling upset, angry, or sad, don’t blame another for your state of mind.