Joshua Herman

“There are more things likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more in our imagination than in reality.”
― Seneca

“You should be especially careful when associating with one of your former friends or acquaintances not to sink to their level; otherwise you will lose yourself. If you are troubled by the idea that ‘He’ll think I’m boring and won’t treat me the way he used to,’ remember that everything comes at a price. It isn’t possible to change your behavior and still be the same person you were before.”
― Epictetus, Discourses and Selected Writings

“Man, what are you talking about? Me in chains? You may fetter my leg but my will, not even Zeus himself can overpower.”
― Epictetus, The Discourses

“Many people who have progressively lowered their personal standards in an attempt to win social acceptance and life’s comforts bitterly resent those of philosophical bent who refuse to compromise their spiritual ideals and who seek to better themselves.”
― Epictetus, The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness