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Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then…

“Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.” quote by Epictetus
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“Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.”

Epictetus

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

First assess the nature of a task and your own capacity before committing, ensuring alignment of effort and ability.

In simple terms: Match tasks to your strengths before acting.

Key Takeaway

Align actions with personal strengths.

Themes

self‑knowledge strategy ethics

Mood

reflective practical

Type

philosophical self‑help

When to use this quote

  • career planning
  • project management
  • personal development
  • risk assessment

Key Concepts

stoicism self‑assessment

Questions to Reflect On

  • What criteria help you evaluate personal readiness?
  • How do you adjust when a task exceeds your capacity?
A Different Perspective

Over‑confidence may cause misjudgment of ability.

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