Quotes About Control

I will throw you into prison. Correction – it is my body you will throw there.

there is but one way to freedom - to despise what is not in our power.

Some things are up to us and some are not up to us. Our opinions are up to us, and our impulses, desires, aversions – in short, whatever is our own doing. Our bodies are not up to us, nor are our possessions, our reputations, or our public offices. . .

Where does the good lie? 'In the will.' And evil? 'Also in the will.' And things neither good nor bad – '… lie in whatever is external to the will.

when we love, hate or fear such things, then the people who administer them are bound to become our masters.

So what oppresses and scares us? It is our own thoughts, obviously.

not even God has the power of coercion over us'.

In life our first job is this, to divide and distinguish things into two categories: externals that I cannot control, but the choices I make with regard to them I do control. Where will I find food and bad? In me, in my choices.

Make the best use of what is in our power, and treat the rest in accordance with its nature.

If someone tried to take control of your body and make you a slave, you would fight for freedom. Yet, how easily you hand over your mind to anyone who insults you.

Throw him in jail.' What jail? The one he is in already, since he is there against his will; and if he is there against his will then he is imprisoned.

Liberty is lost unless we despise those things which put the yoke upon our necks.

No one has power over our principles, and what other people do control we don't care about.

They made you responsible only for what is in your power – the proper use of impressions.

So when we are frustrated, angry or unhappy, never hold anyone except ourselves – that is, our judgements – accountable.

Remember, it is not enough to be hit or insulted to be harmed, you must believe that you are being harmed. If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it is easier to maintain control.

When did anger, however, ever teach someone to play music or pilot a ship?

But when he comes in thunder and lightning brandishing these things, and I show fear in response, in effect I have been brought face to face with my master, just like a runaway slave.

Let man be pleased with whatever has pleased God; let him marvel at himself and his own resources for this very reason, that he cannot be overcome, that he has the very powers of evil subject to his control, and that he brings into subjection chance and pain and wrong by means of that strongest of powers – reason. Love reason! The love of reason will arm you against the greatest hardships.

If you wish to have peace and contentment, release your attachment to all things outside your control.

Some things are within our power while others are not.

End the habit of despising things that are not within your power

When you are feeling upset, angry, or sad, don't blame another for your state of mind.

Whenever distress or displeasure arises in your mind, remind yourself, "This is only my interpretation, not reality itself." Then ask whether it falls within or outside your sphere of power. And, if it is beyond your power to control, let it go.