When a youth was giving himself airs in the Theatre and saying, 'I am wise, for I have conversed with many wise men,' Epictetus replied, 'I too have conversed with many rich men, yet I am not rich!’.

Living a good life leads to enduring happiness. Goodness in and of itself is the practice AND the reward.

Who is not attracted by bright and pleasant children, to prattle, to creep, and to play with them?

What thou avoidest suffering thyself seek not to impose on others.

Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.

If you set your heart upon philosophy, you must straightway prepare yourself to be laughed at and mocked by many who will say Behold a philosopher arisen among us! or How came you by that brow of scorn? But do you cherish no scorn, but hold to those things which seem to you the best, as one set by God in that place. Remember too, that if you abide in those ways, those who first mocked you, the same shall afterwards reverence you; but if you yield to them, you will be laughed at twice as much as before.

Try not to react merely in the moment. Pull back from the situation. Take a wider view. Compose yourself.