Be a loser if need be (Epictetus, Enchiridion)

-These reasonings are unconnected:?“I am richer than you, therefore I am better; I am more eloquent than you, therefore I am better.”?

The connection is rather this:?“I am richer than you therefore my property is greater than yours; I am more eloquent than you, therefore my style is better than yours.”?But you, after all, are neither property nor style.

-If you want to approve, reject such reasonings as these:?“If I neglect my affairs, I’ll have no income. If I don’t correct my servant, he will be bad.”?

For it is better to die with hunger, exempt from grief and fear than to live in affluence with perturbation; and it is better your servant should be bad, than you unhappy.

-Let?death?and exile, and all other things which appear terrible, be?daily?before your eyes, but death chiefly; and you will never entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet anything.

-You’ll have to forego your ease, work hard, leave people behind, be?despisedby menials, be?laughed?at, and get crumbs at best when in comes to recognition and position-in all affairs.

Consider this costs, and see if you’re willing to pay them to gain?peace,?freedom?and tranquility. If you’re not willing, stay away from philosophy.