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Quotes About Resilience

If you have a favorite cup, remember that it is only a cup that you prefer—if it is broken, you can bear it.
~ Epictetus
And when you ask your employee to do something, remember that she may not do as you wish. But giving her the power to upset you does no good for either of you.
~ Epictetus
It was thus an excellent reply that the woman made when she wanted to send a boatload of provisions to the exiled Gratilla;* for when someone said to her, 'Domitian will merely confiscate them,' she replied, 'Better that he should take them away than that I should fail to send them.
~ Epictetus
Pidä silmiesi edessä joka päivä kuolema ja maanpako ja kaikki kauheana näyttäytyvä, ennen kaikkea kuolema. Silloin et koskaan ajattele mitään matalamielistä etkä himoitse mitään likaa.
~ Epictetus
Every difficulty in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and to invoke our own submerged inner resources. The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths.
~ Epictetus
For when you have subjected to externals what is your own, then be a slave and do not resist, and do not sometimes choose to be a slave, and sometimes not choose, but with all your mind be one or the other.
~ Epictetus
In this body, this universe, this community, it is inevitable that each of us faces some such event. [28] Your job, then, is to appear before the court, say what you have to say and make the best of the situation. [29] Then the judge declares you guilty. 'I wish you well, judge. I did my part, you can decide if you did yours.' Because the judge runs a risk too, don't forget.
~ Epictetus
No, I cannot escape death, [10] but at least I can escape the fear of it – or do I have to die moaning and groaning too?
~ Epictetus
Bravery is a scorner of things which inspire fear; it looks down upon, challenges, and crushes the powers of terror and all that would drive our freedom under the yoke.
~ Epictetus
If you make peace with all things that are beyond your power, refusing to fight them, you will be invincible.
~ Epictetus
But the wise man knows that all things are in store for him. Whatever happens, he says: I knew it.
~ Epictetus
It is not the person who insults or attacks you who torments your mind, but the view you take of these things.
~ Epictetus
But my nose is running!' What do you have hands for, idiot, if not to wipe it? 'But how is it right that there be running noses in the first place?' Instead of thinking up protests, wouldn't it be easier just to wipe your nose?
~ Epictetus
But the tyrant will chain …' What? Your legs. 'But he'll cut off …' What? Your head. What is he incapable, then, of chaining up or cutting off? Your power of choice.
~ Epictetus
Who is there left for me to fear, and over what has he control? Not what is in my power, because no one controls that except myself. As for what is not in my power, in that I take no interest.
~ Epictetus
No man can rob us of our Will—no man can lord it over that!
~ Epictetus
Whenever someone helps or hinders you, or praises or criticizes you, remember that they see you only through the lens of their own impressions. If they act or speak from a warped perspective, they hurt themselves—not you. For if someone mistakes truth for falsehood, the truth is not harmed, but only the person deceived. Keeping this in mind, gently turn away any insult or injury. "It seems right to them, though they are mistaken.
~ Epictetus
Anytus and Meletus can kill me, but they cannot harm me,'50 he says, and: 'If it pleases the gods, so be it.
~ Epictetus
I, personally, was never kept from something I wanted, nor had forced upon me something I was opposed to. How did I manage it? I submitted my will to God. He wants me to be sick – well, then, so do I. He wants me to choose something. Then I choose it. He wants me to desire something, I desire it. He wants me to get something, I want the same; or he doesn't want me to get it, and I concur.
~ Epictetus
Remember that it is we who torment, we who make difficulties for ourselves – that is, our opinions do. What, for instance, does it mean to be insulted? Stand by a rock and insult it, and what have you accomplished? If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective?
~ Epictetus
Pain too is just a scary mask: look under it and you will see. The body sometimes suffers, but relief is never far behind.
~ Epictetus
You are invincible if nothing outside the will can disconcert you.
~ Epictetus
Tell us your secrets.' [23] 'I refuse, as this is up to me.' 'I will put you in chains.' 'What's that you say, friend? It's only my leg you will chain, not even God can conquer my will.' [24] 'I will throw you into prison.' 'Correction – it is my body you will throw there.' 'I will behead you.' 'Well, when did I ever claim that mine was the only neck that couldn't be severed?
~ Epictetus
A boxer derives the greatest advantage from his sparring partner – and my accuser is my sparring partner. He trains me in patience, civility and even temper. [10] I mean, a doctor who puts me in a headlock and sets a dislocated pelvis or shoulder – he benefits me, however painful the procedure. So too does a trainer when he commands me to 'lift the weight with both your hands' – and the heavier it is, the greater the benefit to me.
~ Epictetus