What matters most is what sort of person you are becoming. Wise individuals care only about whom they are today and who they can be tomorrow.

To get or not to get what we desire can be equally disappointing.

He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.

Appear to know only this--never to fail nor fall.

Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.

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.

Does a man reproach thee for being proud or ill-natured, envious or conceited, ignorant or detracting? Consider with thyself whether his reproaches are true. If they are not, consider that thou art not the person whom he reproaches, but that he reviles an imaginary being, and perhaps loves what thou really art, though he hates what thou appearest to be.