10 Stoic Quotes on Control & Acceptance

  • “Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.” — Epictetus

  • “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power or our will.” — Epictetus

  • “The more we value things outside our control, the less control we have.” — Epictetus

  • “It is our attitude toward events, not events themselves, which we can control. Nothing is by its own nature calamitous -- even death is terrible only if we fear it.” — Epictetus

  • “We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” — Epictetus

  • “Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.” — Epictetus

  • “Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.” — Epictetus

  • “Fate leads the willing and drags along the reluctant.” — Seneca

  • “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius

  • “When something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it; you can either accept it or resent it.” — Epictetus