جسدك نفسه ليس ملكك كما تظن. إنه ترابٌ وهدفٌ للإعاقة والقهر. وليس بوسعك أن تملكه إلا بوصفه حمارًا يحمل أثقالًا، وعُرضةً لأن يؤخذ منك في أي لحظة. وإذا كان هذ… - Epictetus

Why, then, do we wonder any longer that, although in material things we are thoroughly experienced, nevertheless in our actions we are dejected, unseemly, worthless, cowardly, unwilling to stand the strain, utter failures one and all?

Not in our power are all the elements which constitute our environment, such as wealth, health, reputation, social prestige, power, the lives of those we love, and death. In our power are our thinking, our intentions, our desires, our decisions. These make it possible for us to control ourselves and to make of ourselves elements and parts of the universe of nature. This knowledge of ourselves makes us free in a world of dependencies. This superiority of our powers enables us to live in conformity with nature.

Materials are indifferent, but the use which we make of them is not a matter of indifference.