C

“There are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden or, Life in the Woods

“Then the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true, after a fashion!” said Bilbo. “Of course!” said Gandalf. “And why should not they prove true? Surely you don’t disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself? You don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

“Remember that you are an actor in a play, the character of which is determined by the Playwright: if He wishes the play to be short, it is short; if long, it is long; if He wishes you to play the part of a beggar, remember to act even this role adroitly; and so if your role be that of a cripple, an official, or a layman. For this is your business, to play admirably the role assigned you; but the selection of that role is Another's.”
― Arrian Epictetus, Enchiridion: Including the Discourses of Epictetus and Fragments

“Each man's master is the person who has the authority over what the man wishes or does not wish, so as to secure it, or take it away.”
― Arrian Epictetus, Enchiridion: Including the Discourses of Epictetus and Fragments