Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power.

Don't be concerned who is watching you. The triumphs and merits of others belong to them - as do yours to you. Make the most of what you've got.

No man is free who is not master of himself... Is freedom anything else than the power of living as we choose?

To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. Individuals, however, are responsible for their own actions which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power. As part of the universal city that is the universe, human beings have a duty of care to all fellow humans. The person who followed these precepts would achieve happiness.

Know you not that a good man does nothing for appearance sake, but for the sake of having done right?

I am always content with what happens; for I know that what God chooses is better than what I choose.

What disturbs and alarms man are not the things, but his opinions and fancies about the things.