Good friend Quote by Epictetus
![“being attached in this way to any number of things, we’re weighed down by them and dragged down. [16] That is why, if the weather prevents us from sailing, we sit there in a state of anxiety, constantly peering around. ‘What wind is this?’ The North Wind. And what does it matter to us and to him?…” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e7a/epictetus-413_good-friend_being-attached-in-this-way-to-any-number_2519656.jpg)
““being attached in this way to any number of things, we’re weighed down by them and dragged down. [16] That is why, if the weather prevents us from sailing, we sit there in a state of anxiety, constantly peering around. ‘What wind is this?’ The North Wind. And what does it matter to us and to him? ‘When will the West Wind blow?’ When it so chooses, my good friend, or rather, when Aeolus chooses; for God hasn’t appointed you to be controller of the winds, he has appointed Aeolus. [17] What are we to do, then? To make the best of what lies within our power, and deal with everything else as it comes.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Discourses, Epictetus, c. 108 AD
We cannot control external events like wind; we must focus on our internal responses and accept what we cannot change.
In simple terms: Control your reactions, not the wind.
Key Takeaway
Accept what you cannot control.
Themes
acceptance
control
stoicism
Mood
calm
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- stress management
- decision making
- leadership
- personal setbacks
Key Concepts
external vs internal
agency
determinism
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of a situation are truly within your power?
- How can you turn anxiety into constructive action?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on acceptance may lead to passivity.
