Discourses and Selected Writings

Translated by Robert Dobbin

In life our first job is this, to divide and distinguish things into two categories: externals I cannot control, but the choices I make with regard to them I do control. Where will I find good and bad? In me, in my choices. Don't ever speak of 'good' or 'bad', 'advantage' or 'harm', and so on, of anything that is not your responsibility.

Model yourself on card players. The chips don't matter, and the cards don't matter; how can I know what the deal will be? But making careful and skilful use of the deal – that's where my responsibility begins.

It's the only thing in our power. Wealth is not, nor is health or fame – nothing, in a word, is within our power except using impressions correctly.

We are responsible for some things, while there are others for which we cannot be held responsible. The former include our judgment, our impulse, our desire, aversion, and our mental faculties in general; the latter include the body, material possessions, our reputation, status, and in a word, anything not in our power to control.

So make a practice at once of saying to every strong impression: "An impression is all you are, not the source of the impression." Then test and assess it with your criteria, but one primarily: ask, "Is this something that is, or is not, in my control?" And if it's not one of the things that you control, be ready with the reaction, "Then it's none of my concern."

It is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to maintain control.

Don't hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace.

Also see: The Complete Works of Epictetus.