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Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.
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“Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.”

Epictetus

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Source
Enchiridion
Date
c. 125
English wording
George Long — Translator · from Ancient Greek
Meaning

Meaning of “Demand not that events should happen as you…”

Peace is sought by aligning desire with reality rather than requiring reality to obey preference, a central Stoic distinction between response and circumstance.

Source context

Where does it come from?

Enchiridion, section 8; Epictetus applies Stoic acceptance to events outside personal control.

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Themes

Ideas connected with this quotation

Acceptance Quotes About Reality, Limits & ChangeAngerBoundariesCalmDeepDiscipline Quotes About Habits, Practice & ConsistencyGriefHealingInner PeaceLetting Go Quotes About Release & Moving ForwardLifeLife AdviceLife LessonsMindfulnessMoving OnPatiencePeacePresent MomentSadSelf-Control Quotes About Restraint & JudgmentSimplicityStoicStrengthTruthWisdom Quotes About Judgment & Living WellControlLife Goes OnSerenityWisdom About Life
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The mind is its own place.
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“The mind is its own place.”

John Milton · Paradise Lost · 1667
Voice: Poetic speaker · Satan
Meaning & context

The statement emphasizes how mental framing can alter the experience of circumstances, for good or ill.

Source details

Paradise Lost (1667), Book I, line 254; retained legacy short extract from the fuller Satan sentence beginning ‘The mind is its own place’ and continuing into line 255. It is the same underlying passage as the longer catalog record, not a separate fifth passage.

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It is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself.
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“It is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself.”

Marcus Aurelius · Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus · c. 170
Meaning & context

A person can create an inward pause even when external conditions are noisy, using reflection to restore order before returning to action.

Source details

Meditations, Book IV, in George Long’s translation; this is the central clause of the retreat passage.

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