LET them see to it who pity me. But I am
neither hungry, nor thirsty, nor cold. But,
because they are hungry and thirsty, they suppose
me to be so too. What can I do for them,
then ? Am I to go about making proclamation,
and saying, Do not deceive yourselves, good
people, I am very well: I regard neither poverty,
nor want of power, nor anything else, but right
principles. These I possess unrestrained. I care
for nothing further. — But what trifling is this?
How have I right principles when I am not
contented to be what I am, but am out of my
wits how I shall appear? — But others will get
more, and be preferred to me. — Why, what is
more reasonable than that they who take pains
for anything should get most in that particular
in which they take pains? They have taken
pains for power; you, for right principles.
EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book iv. §6. ¶3.
Don't admire me merely for my possessions or status; don't pity me for my lack of these things either. What I have and where I am are merely accidents of fate. I am not only more that these things, I am something completely different from them. I am my actions, and what I intend by those actions. It is what do or do not do that shows my moral strength, my virtue. I bend my effort and energy not to acquire and climb, but to express the full potential of my best self. - Inspired by Epictetus
ReplyDelete