Epictetus Epictetus All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
Difficulties show men what they are.
In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil. If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it. It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting. No man is free who is not a master of himself. Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.