He has so many life lessons that it makes me dizzy (in a good way).
Check it (if you can actually read through some of this):
"At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: "I have to go to work - as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I'm going to do what I was born for - the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?
-But it's nicer here...
So you were born to feel "nice"? Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don't you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you're not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren't you running to do what your nature demands?
-But we have to sleep sometime...
Agreed. But nature set a limit on that - as it did on eating and drinking. And you're over the limit. You've had more than enough of that. But not of working. There you're still below your quota." (Book 5, #1)
"stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you, stop being hypocritical, self-centered, irritable." (Book 2, #5)
"Do external things distract you? Then make time for yourself to learn something worthwhile,; stop letting yourself be pulled in all directions. People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time - even when hard at work." (Book 2, #7)
"But the man motivated by desire, who is mastered by pleasure, seems somehow more self-indulgent, less manly in his sins." (Book 2, #10)
"You need to avoid certain things in your train of thought: everything random, everything irrelevant. And certainly everything self-important or malicious." (Book 3, #4)
"He does only what is his to do, and considers constantly what the world has in store for him - doing his best, and trusting that all is for the best. For we carry our fate with us - and it carries us." (Book 3, #4)
"Your ability to control your thoughts - treat it with respect. It's all that protects your mind from false perceptions" (Book 3, #9)
"Forget everything else. Keep hold of this alone and remember it: Each of us lives only now, this brief instant. The rest has been lived already, or is impossible to see." (Book 3, #10)
"Nowhere you can go is more peaceful - more free of interruptions - than your own soul. Especially if you have other things to rely on." (Book 4, #3)
"What's there to complain about? People's misbehavior? But take into consideration: that rational beings exist for one another; that doing what's right sometimes requires patience; that no one does the wrong thing deliberately...and keep your mouth shut" (Book 4, #3)
"Things have no hold on the soul. They stand...outside it. Disturbance comes only within - from our own perceptions." (Book 4, #3)
"If you seek tranquility...do what's essential... Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you'll have more time, and more tranquility. As yourself at every moment, "Is this necessary?". But we need to eliminate unnecessary assumptions as well. To eliminate the unnecessary actions that follow" (Book 4, # 24)
"And then you might see what the life of the good man is like - someone content with what nature assigns him, and satisfied with being just and kind himself." (Book 4, #25)
"Don't be disturbed. Uncomplicate yourself.
Someone has done wrong...to himself.
Something happens to you. Good. It was meant for you by nature, woven into the pattern from the beginning.
Life is short. That's all there is to say. Get what you can from the present - thoughtfully, justly. Unrestrained moderation." (Book 4, #26)
"A key point to bear in mind: The value of attentiveness varies in proportion to its object. You're better off no giving the small things more time than they deserve." (Book 4, #32)
"So remember this principle when something threatens to cause you pain: the thing itself was no misfortune at all; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune." (Book 4, #49a)
"Not to feel exasperated, or defeated, or despondent because your days aren't packed with wise and moral actions. But to get back up when you fail, to celebrate behaving like a human - however imperfectly - and fully embrace the pursuit that you've embarked on." (Book 5, #9)
"Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself." (Book 5, #33)
To control the Control Freak in me:
"Remember, nothing belongs to you but your flesh and blood - and nothing else is under your control." (Book 5, #33)
When things don't go your way:
"Not to be overwhelmed by what you imagine, but just do what you can and should." (Book 5, #36)
"The best revenge is not to be like that." (Book 6, #6)
"To feel affection for people even when they make mistakes is uniquely human. You can do it, if you simply recognize: that they're human too, that they act out of ignorance, against their will, and that you'll both be dead before long. And, above all, that they haven't really hurt you. They haven't diminished your ability to choose." (Book 7, #22)
"When people injure you, ask yourself what good or harm they thought would come of it. If you understand that, you'll feel sympathy rather than outrage or anger." (Book 7, #26)
"Treat what you don't have as nonexistent. Look at what you have, the things you value most, and think of how much you'd crave them if you didn't have them. But be careful. Don't feel such satisfaction that you start to overvalue them - that it would upset you to lose them." (Book 7, #27)
"And when faced with a choice, remember: our business is with things that really matter." (Book 7, #58)
When trying not to let other people's actions bother/anger me:
"Against our will, our souls are cut off from truth...justice, self-control, kindness... Important to keep this min mind. It wil make you more patien with other people." (Book 7, #63)
For some work places:
"Look at who they really are, the people whose approval you long for, and what their minds are really like. Then you won't blame the ones who make mistakes they can't help, and you won't feel a need for their approval. You will have seen the sources of both - their judgments and their actions." (Book 7, #62)
When dealing with physical pain:
"And keep in mind to othat pain often comes in disguise - as drowsiness, fever, loss of appetite... When you're bothered by things like that, remid yourself: "I'm giving in to pain"." (Book #7, 64)
When thinking of you current situation/life:
"You don't need much to live happily. And just because you've abandoned your hopes of becoming a great thinker or sceintist, don't give up on attaining freedom, achieving humility, serving others, obeying God." (Book 7, #67)
"It's silly to try to escape other people's faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own." (Book 7, #71)
When worrying too much:
"Don't let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole. Don't try to picture everything bad that could possibly happen. Stick with the situation at hand, and ask, "Why is this so unbearable? Why can't I endure it?" You'll be embarrassed to answer. Then remind yourself that past and future have no power over you. ONly the present - and even that can be minimized. Just mark off its limits. And if your mind tries to claim that it can't hold out against that... well, then, heap shame upon it." (Book 8, #36)
When mad at someone:
"Leave other people's mistakes where they lie." (Book 9, #20)
"Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it's endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. If it's unendurable...then stop complaining. Your destruction will mean its end as well. Just remember: you can endure anything your mind can make endurable, by treating it as in your interest to do so." (Book 10, #3)
On fate:
"Whatever happens to you has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time...your own existence and the things that happen to you." (Book 10, #5)
"False friendship is the worse. Avoid it at all costs. If you're honest and straighforward and mean well, it shoudl show in yoru eyes. It should be unmistakeable." (Book 11, #15)
To live a good life:
"To live a good life: We have the potential for it. If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference. This is how we learn: by looking at each thing, both the parts and the whole. Keeping in mind that none of them can dictate how we perceie it. It is we who generate the judgements...And we don't have to. We could leave the page blank - and if a mark slips through, erase it instantly." (Book 11, #16)
Some small advice to get you through the annoying things that may pop up:
"You have to know an awful lot before you can judge other people's actions with real understanding." (Book 11, #18v)
"When you lose your temper, or even feel irritated: that human life is very short." (Book 11, #18vi)
"That it's not what they do that bothers us: that's a problem for their minds, not ours. It's our own misperceptions. Discard them. Be willing to give up thinkig of this as a catastrophe...and your anger is gone." (Book 11, #18vii)
To be better human beings:
"We need to master the art of acquiescence. We need to pay attention to our impulses, making sure they don't go unmoderated, that they benefit others, that they're worthy of us. We need to steer clear of desire in any form and not try to avoid what's beyond our control." (Book 11, #37)
"It's time you realized that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet." (Book 12, #19)
"Throw out your misperceptions and you'll be fine. (And who's stopping you from throwing them out?)" (Book 12, #25)
"To be angry at something means you've forgotten: That everything that happens is natural. That the responsibility is theirs, not yours. And further... That whatever happens has always happened, and always will, and is happening at this very moment, everywhere. Just like this. What links one human being to all humans: not blood, or birth, but mind." (Book 12, #26)
On your faith:
"People ask, "Have you ever seen the gods you worship? How can you be sure they exist?" Answers:
i. Just look around you.
ii. I've never seen my soul either. And yet I revere it.
That's how I know the gods exist and why I revere them - from having felt their power, over and over." (Book 12, #28)
"You need to avoid certain things in your train of thought: everything random, everything irrelevant. And certainly everything self-important or malicious." (Book 3, #4)
"He does only what is his to do, and considers constantly what the world has in store for him - doing his best, and trusting that all is for the best. For we carry our fate with us - and it carries us." (Book 3, #4)
"Your ability to control your thoughts - treat it with respect. It's all that protects your mind from false perceptions" (Book 3, #9)
"Forget everything else. Keep hold of this alone and remember it: Each of us lives only now, this brief instant. The rest has been lived already, or is impossible to see." (Book 3, #10)
"Nowhere you can go is more peaceful - more free of interruptions - than your own soul. Especially if you have other things to rely on." (Book 4, #3)
"What's there to complain about? People's misbehavior? But take into consideration: that rational beings exist for one another; that doing what's right sometimes requires patience; that no one does the wrong thing deliberately...and keep your mouth shut" (Book 4, #3)
"Things have no hold on the soul. They stand...outside it. Disturbance comes only within - from our own perceptions." (Book 4, #3)
"If you seek tranquility...do what's essential... Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you'll have more time, and more tranquility. As yourself at every moment, "Is this necessary?". But we need to eliminate unnecessary assumptions as well. To eliminate the unnecessary actions that follow" (Book 4, # 24)
"And then you might see what the life of the good man is like - someone content with what nature assigns him, and satisfied with being just and kind himself." (Book 4, #25)
"Don't be disturbed. Uncomplicate yourself.
Someone has done wrong...to himself.
Something happens to you. Good. It was meant for you by nature, woven into the pattern from the beginning.
Life is short. That's all there is to say. Get what you can from the present - thoughtfully, justly. Unrestrained moderation." (Book 4, #26)
"A key point to bear in mind: The value of attentiveness varies in proportion to its object. You're better off no giving the small things more time than they deserve." (Book 4, #32)
"So remember this principle when something threatens to cause you pain: the thing itself was no misfortune at all; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune." (Book 4, #49a)
"Not to feel exasperated, or defeated, or despondent because your days aren't packed with wise and moral actions. But to get back up when you fail, to celebrate behaving like a human - however imperfectly - and fully embrace the pursuit that you've embarked on." (Book 5, #9)
"Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself." (Book 5, #33)
To control the Control Freak in me:
"Remember, nothing belongs to you but your flesh and blood - and nothing else is under your control." (Book 5, #33)
When things don't go your way:
"Not to be overwhelmed by what you imagine, but just do what you can and should." (Book 5, #36)
"The best revenge is not to be like that." (Book 6, #6)
"To feel affection for people even when they make mistakes is uniquely human. You can do it, if you simply recognize: that they're human too, that they act out of ignorance, against their will, and that you'll both be dead before long. And, above all, that they haven't really hurt you. They haven't diminished your ability to choose." (Book 7, #22)
"When people injure you, ask yourself what good or harm they thought would come of it. If you understand that, you'll feel sympathy rather than outrage or anger." (Book 7, #26)
"Treat what you don't have as nonexistent. Look at what you have, the things you value most, and think of how much you'd crave them if you didn't have them. But be careful. Don't feel such satisfaction that you start to overvalue them - that it would upset you to lose them." (Book 7, #27)
"And when faced with a choice, remember: our business is with things that really matter." (Book 7, #58)
When trying not to let other people's actions bother/anger me:
"Against our will, our souls are cut off from truth...justice, self-control, kindness... Important to keep this min mind. It wil make you more patien with other people." (Book 7, #63)
For some work places:
"Look at who they really are, the people whose approval you long for, and what their minds are really like. Then you won't blame the ones who make mistakes they can't help, and you won't feel a need for their approval. You will have seen the sources of both - their judgments and their actions." (Book 7, #62)
When dealing with physical pain:
"And keep in mind to othat pain often comes in disguise - as drowsiness, fever, loss of appetite... When you're bothered by things like that, remid yourself: "I'm giving in to pain"." (Book #7, 64)
When thinking of you current situation/life:
"You don't need much to live happily. And just because you've abandoned your hopes of becoming a great thinker or sceintist, don't give up on attaining freedom, achieving humility, serving others, obeying God." (Book 7, #67)
"It's silly to try to escape other people's faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own." (Book 7, #71)
When worrying too much:
"Don't let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole. Don't try to picture everything bad that could possibly happen. Stick with the situation at hand, and ask, "Why is this so unbearable? Why can't I endure it?" You'll be embarrassed to answer. Then remind yourself that past and future have no power over you. ONly the present - and even that can be minimized. Just mark off its limits. And if your mind tries to claim that it can't hold out against that... well, then, heap shame upon it." (Book 8, #36)
When mad at someone:
"Leave other people's mistakes where they lie." (Book 9, #20)
"Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it's endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. If it's unendurable...then stop complaining. Your destruction will mean its end as well. Just remember: you can endure anything your mind can make endurable, by treating it as in your interest to do so." (Book 10, #3)
On fate:
"Whatever happens to you has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time...your own existence and the things that happen to you." (Book 10, #5)
"False friendship is the worse. Avoid it at all costs. If you're honest and straighforward and mean well, it shoudl show in yoru eyes. It should be unmistakeable." (Book 11, #15)
To live a good life:
"To live a good life: We have the potential for it. If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference. This is how we learn: by looking at each thing, both the parts and the whole. Keeping in mind that none of them can dictate how we perceie it. It is we who generate the judgements...And we don't have to. We could leave the page blank - and if a mark slips through, erase it instantly." (Book 11, #16)
Some small advice to get you through the annoying things that may pop up:
"You have to know an awful lot before you can judge other people's actions with real understanding." (Book 11, #18v)
"When you lose your temper, or even feel irritated: that human life is very short." (Book 11, #18vi)
"That it's not what they do that bothers us: that's a problem for their minds, not ours. It's our own misperceptions. Discard them. Be willing to give up thinkig of this as a catastrophe...and your anger is gone." (Book 11, #18vii)
To be better human beings:
"We need to master the art of acquiescence. We need to pay attention to our impulses, making sure they don't go unmoderated, that they benefit others, that they're worthy of us. We need to steer clear of desire in any form and not try to avoid what's beyond our control." (Book 11, #37)
"It's time you realized that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet." (Book 12, #19)
"Throw out your misperceptions and you'll be fine. (And who's stopping you from throwing them out?)" (Book 12, #25)
"To be angry at something means you've forgotten: That everything that happens is natural. That the responsibility is theirs, not yours. And further... That whatever happens has always happened, and always will, and is happening at this very moment, everywhere. Just like this. What links one human being to all humans: not blood, or birth, but mind." (Book 12, #26)
On your faith:
"People ask, "Have you ever seen the gods you worship? How can you be sure they exist?" Answers:
i. Just look around you.
ii. I've never seen my soul either. And yet I revere it.
That's how I know the gods exist and why I revere them - from having felt their power, over and over." (Book 12, #28)
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