“But I would enjoy the feast still longer.”  So perhaps would the spectators at Olympia see more combatants.  But the solemnity is over.  Go away.  Depart like a grateful and modest person; make room for others.

Do not you know that sickness and death must overtake us?  At what employment?  The husbandman at his plough; the sailor on his voyage.  At what employment would you be taken?  Indeed, at what employment ought you to be taken?  For if there is any better employment at which you can be taken, follow that.

For my own part, I would be engaged in nothing but the care of my own faculty of choice, how to render it undisturbed, unrestrained, uncompelled, free.  I would be found studying this, that I may be able to say to God, “Have I transgressed Thy commands?  Have I perverted the powers, the senses, the preconceptions which Thou hast given me?  Have I ever accused Thee or censured Thy dispensations?  I have been sick, because it was Thy pleasure.  I have been poor, with joy.  I have not been in power, because it was not Thy will, and power I have never desired.  Have I not always approached Thee cheerfully, prepared to execute Thy commands?  Is it Thy pleasure that I depart from this assembly?  I depart.  I give Thee thanks that Thou hast thought me worthy to have a share in it with Thee; to behold Thy works, and to join with Thee in comprehending Thy administration.”  Let death overtake me while I am thinking, writing, reading such things as these.  Of things, some are in our power, others not.  In our power are opinion, pursuit, desire, accession; in a word, whatever are our own actions.  Not in our power are body, property, reputation, command; in a word, whatever are not our own actions.

Now, the things in our power are free, unrestrained, unhindered, while those not in our power are weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others.  Remember, then, that if you suppose these latter things free, and what belongs to others your own, you will be hindered; you will lament; you will be disturbed; you will find fault with both gods and men.  But if you regard that only as your own which is your own, and what is others, as theirs, no one will ever compel you; no one will restrain you; you will find fault with no one; you will accuse no one; you will do nothing against your will; you will have no enemy and will suffer no harm.

Aiming, therefore, at great things, remember that you must not allow yourself to be carried out of your course, however slightly.

Study to be able to say to every hostile appearance, “You are but an appearance, and not the thing you appear to be.”  Then examine it by your rules, and first and chiefly by this:  whether it concerns the things in your own power or those which are not.  And if it concerns anything not in your own power, be prepared to say it is nothing to you.

With regard to whatever objects either delight the mind, or contribute to use, or are loved with fondness, remember to tell yourself of what nature they are, beginning from the most trifling things.  If you are fond of an earthen cup, remind yourself it is an earthen cup of which you are fond; thus, if it be broken, you will not be disturbed.  If you kiss your child, or your wife, remember you kiss a being subject to the accidents of humanity; thus you will not be disturbed if either die.