To adorn our characters by the charm of an amiable nature shows at once a lover of beauty and a lover of man.

Embrace reality. Think about what delights you - the small luxuries on which you depend, the people whom you cherish most. But remember that they have their own distinct character, which is quite a separate matter from how we happen to regard them.

Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, �He who is content.

From now on practice saying to everything that appears unpleasant: You are merely an appearance and NOT what you appear to be.

If someone speaks badly of you, do not defend yourself against the accusations, but reply; "you obviously don't know about my other vices, otherwise you would have mentioned these as well

Fortune is an evil chain to the body, and vice to the soul.

If someone irritates you, it is only your own response that is irritating you. Therefore, when anyone seems to be provoking you, remember that it is only your judgment of the incident that provokes you. -