Enchiridion, I
"Enchiridion, I" by Epictetus: the full text to learn by heart online. It opens in the Memorizun trainer — the progressive word- and letter-hiding method helps you memorize it faster.
Of Things, some are in our Power, and others not. In our Power are Opinion, Pursuit, Desire, Aversion, and in one Word, whatever are our own Actions. Not in our Power, are Body, Property, Reputation, Command, and, in one Word, whatever are not our own Actions. Now, the Things in our Power are, by Nature, free, unrestrained, unhindered: But those not in our Power, weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others. Remember then, that, if you suppose Things by Nature slavish, to be free; and what belongs to others, your own; you will be hindered; you will lament; you will be disturbed; you will find fault both with Gods and Men. But, if you suppose, that only to be your own, which is your own; and what belongs to others, such as it really is; no one will ever compell you; no one will restrain you: you will find fault with no one; you will accuse no one, you will do no one Thing against your Will: no one will hurt you; you will not have an Enemy; for you will suffer no Harm.
Aiming therefore at such great Things, remember, that you must not allow yourself to be carried, even with a slight Tendency, towards the Attainment of the others: but that you must entirely quit some of them, and for the present postpone the rest. But, if you would both have these, and Command, and Riches, at once, perhaps you will not gain so much as the latter; because you aim at the former too: but you will absolutely fail of the former; by which alone Happiness and Freedom are procured.
Study, therefore, to be able to say to every harsh Appearance, "You are but an Appearance, and not absolutely the Thing you appear to be." And then examine it by those Rules which you have: and first, and chiefly, by this: Whether it concerns the Things which are in our own Power, or those which are not, and, if it concerns any thing not in our Power, be prepared to say, that it is nothing to you.
