It is possible to learn the will of nature from the things in which we do not differ from each other. For example, when someone else's little slave b… - Epictetus

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It is possible to learn the will of nature from the things in which we do not differ from each other. For example, when someone else's little slave boy breaks his cup we are ready to say, “It's one of those things that just happen.” Certainly, then, when your own cup is broken you should be just the way you were when the other person's was broken. Transfer the same idea to larger matters. Someone else's child is dead, or his wife. There is no one would not say, “It's the lot of a human being.” But when one's own dies, immediately it is, “Alas! Poor me!” But we should have remembered how we feel when we hear of the same thing about others.

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About Epictetus

Epictetus (c. 55 – c. 135 AD), born a slave, was a Greek Stoic philosopher. His words were recorded by his student Arrian in the Discourses and Enchiridion written in the early 2nd-century.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Native Name: ΕΠΙΚΤΗΤΟΣ
Alternative Names: Epictetus of Hierapolis Epiktetos
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Additional quotes by Epictetus

I, personally, was never kept from something I wanted, nor had forced upon me something I was opposed to. How did I manage it? I submitted my will to God.

He wants me to be sick? Well then, so do I. He wants me to choose something? Then I choose it. He wants me to desire something? Then I desire it. He wants me to get something? I want the same, or he doesn’t want me to get it, and I concur. Thus, I even assent to death and torture. Now, no one can make me or keep me from acting in line with my inclination any more than they can similarly manipulate God.

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