Quotes About Control

So in life our first job is this, to divide and distinguish things into two categories: externals I cannot control, but the choices I make with regard to them I do control

Working within our sphere of control, we are naturally free, independent, and strong. Beyond that sphere, we are weak, limited, and dependent.

Stoicism doesn't mean repressing emotion and shunning pleasure, I learned, but, in essence, focusing on what is within our power and letting go of everything we can't control.

But if you try to avoid what you cannot control—sickness, poverty, death—you will inflict useless mental suffering upon yourself.

And when you ask your employee to do something, remember that she may not do as you wish. But giving her the power to upset you does no good for either of you.

For when you have subjected to externals what is your own, then be a slave and do not resist, and do not sometimes choose to be a slave, and sometimes not choose, but with all your mind be one or the other.

I]f you gape after externals, you must of necessity ramble up and down in obedience to the will of your master. And who is the master? He who has the power over the things which you seek to gain or try to avoid.

You cannot choose the era, nationality, family, and body into which you are born. But to act well in your given role—this is your sphere of power.

If you make peace with all things that are beyond your power, refusing to fight them, you will be invincible.

But the tyrant will chain …' What? Your legs. 'But he'll cut off …' What? Your head. What is he incapable, then, of chaining up or cutting off? Your power of choice.

Who is there left for me to fear, and over what has he control? Not what is in my power, because no one controls that except myself. As for what is not in my power, in that I take no interest.

You do not seem to realize that the mind is subject only to itself. It alone can control it, [13] which shows the force and justice of God's edict: the strong shall always prevail over the weak.

If you wish to have peace and contentment, release your attachment to all things outside your control. This is the path of freedom and happiness.

Some things are up to us, and some things are not up to us.

If you want not just peace and contentment, but power and wealth too, you may forfeit the former in seeking the latter, and will lose your freedom and happiness along the way. 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.

Be confident in everything outside the will, and cautious in everything under the will's control.

Transfer caution to the will and the functions of the will, and the mere wish will bring with it the power of avoidance. But if we direct it at what is outside us and is none of our responsibility, wanting instead to avoid what's in the control of others, we are necessarily going to meet with fear, upset and confusion.

Make the best use of what is in our power, and treat the rest in accordance with its nature. And what is its nature? However God decides.

distinguish between your own and not your own, the things which are in your power and not in your power

Our master is anyone who has the power to implement or prevent the things that we want or don't want. Whoever wants to be free, therefore, should wish for nothing or avoid nothing that is up to other people.

Gustavo Solivellas dice: Make the best use of what's in your power and take the rest as it happens (Epictetus)

If you wish to have peace and contentment, release your attachment to all things outside your control. This is the path of freedom and happiness. If you want not just peace and contentment, but power and wealth too, you may forfeit the former in seeking the latter, and will lose your freedom and happiness along the way.

There are things that are within our power, and things that fall outside our power. Within our power are our own opinions, aims, desires, dislikes—in sum, our own thoughts and actions.

But it is within your power to avoid disappointment, by directing your desires to things that are rightfully yours to obtain and control.