Ryan Holiday, The 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
No one is crushed by Fortune, unless they are first deceived by her... those who aren't pompous in good times, don't have their bubbles burst with change. Against either circumstance, the stable person keeps their rational soul invincible, for it's precisely in the good times they prove their strength against adversity. — Seneca, On Consolation to Helvia, 5.4b,5b-6
Daily Touch of Inspirations February 24th: The real source of harm Ryan Holiday, The 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Keep in mind that it isn't the one who has it in for you and takes a swipe that harms you, but rather the harms comes from your own belief about the abuse. So when someone arouses your anger, know that it's really your own opinion fueling it. Instead, make it your first response not to be carried away by such impressions, for with time and distance self mastery is more easily achieved. —Epictetus, Enchiridion, 20
Ryan Holiday, The 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
From the very beginning, make it your practice to say every harsh impression, "you are an impression and not at all what you appear to be." Next, examine and test it by the rules you possess, the first and greatest of which is this- whether it belongs to the things in our control or not in our control, and if the latter, be prepared to respond, "It is nothing to me." —Epictetus, Enchiridion, 1.5
Ryan Holiday, The 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
In your actions, don't procrastinate. In your conversations, don't confuse. In your thoughts, don't wander. In your soul, don't be passive or aggressive. In your life, don't be all about business— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.51
Ryan Holiday, The 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
One person, on doing well by others, immediately accounts the expected favor in return. Another is not so quick, but still considers the person a debtor and knows the favor. A third kind of person acts as if not conscious of the deed, rather like a vine producing a cluster of grapes without making further demands, like a horse after its race, or a dog after its walk, or a bee after making its hone. Such a person, having done a good deed, won't go shouting from rooftops but simply moves on to the next deed just like the vine produces another bunch of grapes in the right season.— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.6
Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning :What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion? :What for tranquility? :What am I? A mere body, estate-holder, or reputation? None of these things. :What then? A rational being. :What then is demanded of me? Meditate on your actions. :How did I steer away from serenity? :What did I do that was unfriendly, unsocial, or uncaring? :What did I fail to do in all these things?
