Chapter 1

Some things are up to us, and some things are not up to us. Up to us are assumption, impulse, desire, aversion – in a word, everything that is our own doing. Not up to us are the body, possessions, reputation, public office – in a word, everything that is not our own doing.

What is up to us is by nature free, unhindered, unobstructed. What is not up to us is weak, enslaved, obstructed, and belongs to others.

Remember, then: if you take what is by nature enslaved to be free, and what belongs to others to be your own, you will be blocked, you will grieve, you will be disturbed, and you will blame both gods and men. But if you take only what is yours to be yours, and what belongs to others – as it does – to belong to others, then no one will ever compel you, no one will hinder you, you will blame no one, you will accuse no one, you will not do a single thing against your will, no one will harm you, and you will have no enemy, because nothing harmful can happen to you.

Aiming at things this great, remember that you cannot reach for them half-heartedly. Some things you must give up entirely; others you must postpone for now. But if you want these great things and also want power and wealth, you may not even get power and wealth, because you are reaching for the great things too – and you will certainly fail to gain the things that alone bring freedom and happiness.

So practice, from this moment, saying to every harsh impression: “You are an impression, and not at all the thing you appear to be.” Then examine it and test it by the standards you have – first and above all by this one: does it concern what is up to us, or what is not up to us? And if it concerns anything not up to us, have the answer ready: “Nothing to me.”