ضع نُصْبَ عينيك، في كل حين، الموتَ والمنفى وكلَّ ما يبدو مرعبًا، ولكن اجعل الموتَ أوَّلَها جميعًا. عندئذٍ لن تفكِّر أبدًا في أي شيءٍ دنيء، ولن تتوق إلى أيِّ شيءٍ تَوْقًا زا… - Epictetus

For if we had any sense, what else should we do, both in public and in private, than sing hymns and praise the deity, and recount all the favours that he has conferred!

But only if I identify with my will can I be someone’s friend – or son, or father – in the true sense, because only then will my self-interest be served by remaining loyal, honest, patient, tolerant and supportive, and by maintaining my social relations.

In this body, this universe, this community, it is inevitable that each of us faces some such event. [28] Your job, then, is to appear before the court, say what you have to say and make the best of the situation. [29] Then the judge declares you guilty. ‘I wish you well, judge. I did my part, you can decide if you did yours.’ Because the judge runs a risk too, don’t forget.