All human beings seek the happy life, but many confuse the means - for example, wealth and status - with that life itself. This misguided focus on the means to a good life makes people get further from the happy life. The really worthwhile things are the virtuous activities that make up the happy life, not the external means that may seem to produce it.
EpictetusDifficulty shows what men are. Therefore when a difficulty falls upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a rough young man. Why? So that you may become an Olympic conqueror; but it is not accomplished without sweat.
EpictetusThe wise realize that some things are within their control, and most things are not. They learn early on to distinguish between what they can and can't regulate.
EpictetusWhen something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it; you can either accept it or resent it.
Epictetus