Everything, you see, that you throw at me I will transform into a blessing, a boon, something dignified - even enviable. - Epictetus

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.

26. The will of nature may be learned from those things in which we don’t distinguish from each other. For example, when our neighbor’s boy breaks a cup, or the like, we are presently ready to say, “These things will happen.” Be assured, then, that when your own cup likewise is broken, you ought to be affected just as when another’s cup was broken. Apply this in like manner to greater things. Is the child or wife of another dead? There is no one who would not say, “This is a human accident.” but if anyone’s own child happens to die, it is presently, “Alas I how wretched am I!” But it should be remembered how we are affected in hearing the same thing concerning others.

What concerns me is not the way things are, but the way people think things are.