“Remember to conduct yourself in life as if at a banquet. As something being passed around comes to you, reach out your hand and take a moderate helping. Does it pass you by? Don’t stop it. It hasn’t yet come? Don’t burn in desire for it, but wait until it arrives in front of you. Act this way with children, a spouse, toward position, with wealth—one day it will make you worthy of a banquet with the gods.” —Epictetus, ENCHIRIDION, 15 dailyStoic
- Cease opportunity when it comes, but don’t let yourself be consumed by desire, frustration or impatience. It connects to not expecting things from life or people, as in the Dichotomy of Control, or “Stoic Fork”. But at the same time, there is no reason not ripping the fruit that is being offered. We should enjoy the happy moments when they comes. We should just not crave for them.