Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. … - Epictetus

You ought to realize, you take up very little space in the world as a whole — your body, that is; in reason, however, you yield to no one, not even to the gods, because reason is not measured in size but sense. So why not care for that side of you, where you and the gods are equals?

If you choose, you are free; if you choose, you need blame no man — accuse no man. All things will be at once according to your mind and according to the Mind of God.

Two elements are combined in our creation, the body, which we have in common with the beasts; and reason and good judgement, which we share with the gods. Most of us tend toward the former connection, miserable and mortal though it is, whereas only a few favour this holy and blessed alliance.