Finally, therefore, remember your retreat into this little domain which is yourself, and above all do not distract or strain yourself, but be free and look at things as a man, as a human being, as a citizen, as a creature that must die. And among what is most ready at hand into which you will look have these two: the one, that things do not touch the soul, for they are external and remain immovable, and that disturbances come only from the judgment within; the second, that all that your eyes behold will change in a moment and be no more; and of how many things you have already witnessed the changes, think continually of that.
The universe is change, life is judgment.
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Epictetus - Enchiridion (Handbook) Chapter 5
It is not circumstances themselves that trouble people, but their judgements about those circumstances ... Therefore, whenever we are hindered or troubled or distressed, let us never blame others, but ourselves, that is, our own judgements. The uneducated person blames others for their failures; those who have just begun to be instructed blame themselves; those whose learning is complete blame neither others nor themselves.
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Koheles 3:1-8
(1) Everything has its season, and there is a time for every desire under the heavens: (2) A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot the planted. (3) A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break through and a time to build. (4) A time to cry and a time to laugh; a time to eulogize and a time to dance. (5) A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to hug and a time to distance [oneself] from hugging. (6) A time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to discard. (7) A time to tear and a time to mend; a time to be silent and a time to speak. (8) A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.
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If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
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Stoic texts:
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
Letters from a Stoic Master (Seneca)
The Discourses of Epictetus
The Enchiridion (Handbook) of Epictetus
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