I've always had only a superficial knowledge of stoic philosophy. Now, I'm not going to say that now I'm a stoic because I've read Epictetus; but what he says resonates with me. Don't worry about things that are not in your control--focus only on those things that are. Very wise thoughts. Or not to be jealous: If you see someone who is rich, see what you have instead of riches; for if you have less riches, you will be jealous; but if you have the advantage of not needing riches, then you have something more valuable. Indeed. ( )

Different people bring different gifts. In self-help, Epictetus is bigger than Plato and Aristotle, so I’ve read him for years now. I read the more classical authors too, now that I’m not in crisis, (to the extent that that’s ever true of anybody), but I’ll always love my applied philosophy.

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More Christian than the Christians themselves.

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He’s certainly more Christian than Emerson; I’m developing a little tic where every time I say Emerson’s name I spit. Even if they say something similar—no.

Supplicant: Nobody likes me. I don’t have any friends.
Epictetus: Fame is the noise of madmen. Who are we to be liked, and what is being liked to us. One time—
Emerson: *I’m the one with money* I've had to deal with a lot on my quest to be myself. Other people are all the way down there, in the valley. I, am on Mount Emerson.
*beat*
Epictetus: Are you finished.
Emerson: I am an American philosopher.
*beat*
Epictetus: *to supplicant* Remember non-attachment and remember the poor.
Supplicant: Yes, Father.
Emerson: The poor are all the way down there. I can’t see them. They’re like ants.... Little.... ants.
Epictetus: *to Emerson* If Nietzsche is Taylor Swift, you’re Elton John.
Emerson: Huh?
Epictetus: Wasn’t your book called, All About Me!, and other less important essays.
Emerson: Oh yeah well who are you.
Epictetus: The old church choir.
Emerson: Oh yeah because it’s not about you right.
Epictetus: It’s not about me.