November 14th Reading from The Daily Stoic - You Choose the Outcome

"He was sent to prison. But the observation 'he has suffered evil' is an addition coming from you."

~ Epictetus, Discourses, 3.8.5b-6a

November 13th Reading from The Daily Stoic - Never Complain, Never Explain

"Don't allow yourself to be heard any longer griping about public life, not even with your own ears!"

~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.9

November 12th Reading from The Daily Stoic - The Strong Accept Responsibility

"If we judge as good and evil only the things in the power of out own choice, then there is no room left for blaming gods or being hostile to others."

~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.41

November 11th Reading from The Daily Stoic - It's Not The Thing, It's What We Make Of It

"When you are distressed by an external thing, it's not the thing itself that troubles you, but only your judgment of it. And you can wipe this out at a moment's notice."

~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.47

November 10th Reading from The Daily Stoic - Always The Same

"Think by way of example on the times of Vespasian, and you'll see all these things: marrying, raising children, falling ill, dying, wars, holiday feasts, commerce, farming, flattering, pretending, suspecting, scheming, praying that others die, grumbling over one's own lot, falling in love, amassing fortunes, lusting after office and power. Now that life of theirs is dead and gone . . . the times of Trajan, again the same . . ."

~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 4.32

November 9th Reading from The Daily Stoic - All Is Fluid

"The universe is change. Life is opinion."

~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 4.3.4b

November 8th Reading from The Daily Stoic - Actors In A Play

"Remember that you are an actor in a play, playing a character according to the will of the playwright - if a short play, then it's short; if long, long. If he wishes you to play the beggar, play even that role well, just as you would if it were a cripple, a honcho, or an everyday person. For this is your duty, to perform well the character assigned to you. That selection belongs to another."

~ Epictetus, Enchiridion, 17