For what else is tragedy than the portrayal in tragic verse of the sufferings of men who have attached high value to external things? - Epictetus

man of sense will not take part in politics either∗; he knows the kinds of personal connections that politics involves. So what’s to keep us from living as if we were as unsocial as flies?

Remember that you must behave in life as at a dinner party. Is anything brought around to you? Put out your hand and take your share with moderation. Does it pass by you? Don’t stop it. Is it not yet come? Don’t stretch your desire towards it, but wait till it reaches you.

If you have assumed a character beyond your strength, you have both played a poor figure in that, and neglected one that is within your powers.