If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is…
““If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any time.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Distress comes from our judgment of events, not the events themselves, and we can change that judgment at any moment.
In simple terms: Pain is caused by how we interpret things, not the things themselves.
Key Takeaway
Change your perspective to relieve suffering.
Themes
mindfulness
self‑control
perception
Mood
reflective
empowering
Type
philosophical
self‑help
When to use this quote
- stressful work meetings
- personal setbacks
- health diagnoses
- relationship conflicts
Key Concepts
cognitive reframing
emotional regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice re‑evaluating a recent upset?
- What habit can help you notice automatic judgments?
A Different Perspective
Changing thoughts may be difficult when emotions are intense.