Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.
This is chapter 8 of the Enchiridion, the short handbook that Arrian compiled from Epictetus’s teaching. It states the central Stoic exercise of wanting events to be what they are rather than what we would like.
It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are. Therefore when a difficulty falls upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a rough young man.
Remember that it is not he who reviles you or strikes you, who insults you, but it is your opinion about these things as being insulting.
Men are disturbed, not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things.
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.
A house divided against itself cannot stand.
The rank is but the guinea’s stamp, / The Man’s the gowd for a’ that.