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“What is the happy life? It is peace of mind, and lasting tranquillity.”
Happiness is defined as durable mental order rather than constant excitement, pleasure, or favorable luck.
Source note: Letter 92 asks what makes a happy life and connects it with peace of mind and stable judgment.
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“That from which you are running is within you.”
Changing places cannot solve a conflict that is carried internally; the difficult work is changing judgment and character.
Source note: Letter 104 argues that travel cannot by itself cure inward restlessness.
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“Say nothing more to thyself than what the first appearances report.”
The instruction separates observation from added interpretation, helping prevent an initial event from becoming a larger story of injury or fear.
Source note: Meditations, Book VIII, section 49, George Long translation.
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“Fortify thyself with contentment: that is an impregnable stronghold.”
Contentment creates a form of inward security because satisfaction becomes less dependent on circumstances that can be taken away.
Source note: The Golden Sayings of Epictetus, saying XVII, Hastings Crossley translation.
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“True instruction is this:—to learn to wish that each thing should come to pass as it does.”
Stoic instruction begins by reducing the conflict between reality and demand, leaving judgment and action to work with what actually occurs.
Source note: The Golden Sayings of Epictetus, saying XXVI, Hastings Crossley translation.
Source identified
“Learn how to feel joy.”
Joy is presented as a skill of character rather than a lucky mood produced by favorable external circumstances.
Source note: Letter 23, on the true joy which comes from philosophy.