--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't demand or expect that events happen…" description: "\"Don't demand or expect that events happen as you would wish them do. Accept events as they actually happen. That way, peace is possible.\" — Epictetus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/epictetus-413_accepting_don-t-demand-or-expect-that-events-happe_1370744.jpg" --- # Don't demand or expect that events happen as you would… ![“Don't demand or expect that events happen as you would wish them do. Accept events as they actually happen. That way, peace is possible.” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/epictetus-413_accepting_don-t-demand-or-expect-that-events-happe_1370744.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/epictetus-413_accepting_don-t-demand-or-expect-that-events-happe_1370744.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e7/epictetus-413_accepting_don-t-demand-or-expect-that-events-happe_1370744.jpg) > “Don't demand or expect that events happen as you would wish them do. Accept events as they actually happen. That way, peace is possible.” [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Accept reality instead of wishing it were different, which leads to inner peace. **In simple terms:** Accept what happens; find peace. Key Takeaway Embrace reality for calm. Themes stoicism peace acceptance Mood calm reflective Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - daily setbacks - conflict resolution - stress management Key Concepts determinism mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What can you accept today? - How does acceptance affect your stress? A Different Perspective May ignore practical issues; acceptance.. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-seek-to-have-events-happen-as-you-wish-but-wish-them-to-happen/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not seek to have events happen as you want them to, but instead want them to happen as they do happen, and your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-seek-to-have-events-happen-as-you-want-them-to-but-instead/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [One day I just wish they would accept me for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livefree2dream44/one-day-i-just-wish-they-would-accept-me-for-me/) Livefree2dream44 > [~just wish he would accept the fact that I still have feelings for him… :/](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/she-s-gone/just-wish-he-would-accept-the-fact-that-i-still-have-feelings-for-him/) She's\_gone > [I wish you would accept me and never try to change me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leeanna-wilson/i-wish-you-would-accept-me-and-never-try-to-change-me/) [Leeanna Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leeanna-wilson/) > [Did you forget me? Or are you too scared to tell me that you met me And fear that I won't remember, I wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/did-you-forget-me-or-are-you-too-scared-to-tell-me-that-you-met-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Miracles are merely events that happen just when they are needed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gemmell/miracles-are-merely-events-that-happen-just-when-they-are-needed/) [David Gemmell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gemmell/) > [Anything can happen in stock markets and you ought to conduct your affairs so that if the most extraordinary events happen, that you're still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/anything-can-happen-in-stock-markets-and-you-ought-to-conduct-your/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [It's customary when great events happen that the U.S. punishes its friends and rewards its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/it-s-customary-when-great-events-happen-that-the-u-s-punishes-its/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [“You cannot control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-cannot-control-all-the-events-that-happen-to-you-but-you-can/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The sad events that occur in my life are the sad events that happen to everybody, with losing friends and family, but that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-aragones/the-sad-events-that-occur-in-my-life-are-the-sad-events-that-happen/) [Sergio Aragones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-aragones/) > [If it didn't happen in your life before, then you're not paying attention you don't think it's possible. But almost all important events never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/if-it-didn-t-happen-in-your-life-before-then-you-re-not-paying/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [It seems like all of my biggest life events happen when I'm actually at home in Cleveland around my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gargano/it-seems-like-all-of-my-biggest-life-events-happen-when-i-m-actually/) [Johnny Gargano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gargano/) > [You may not control all of the events that happen to you but you can decide not to be reduced by them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-may-not-control-all-of-the-events-that-happen-to-you-but-you-can/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I think even in a good marriage, especially if you stay together long enough, there are going to be events that happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-amos/i-think-even-in-a-good-marriage-especially-if-you-stay-together-long/) [Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-amos/) ## More by Epictetus > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/practice-yourself-for-heaven-s-sake-in-little-things-and-then-proceed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-laugh-much-or-often-or-unrestrainedly/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-not-disturbed-by-what-happens-to-us-but-by-our-thoughts-about/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-be-prideful-with-any-excellence-that-is-not-your-own/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/you-know-yourself-what-you-are-worth-in-your-own-eyes-and-at-what/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/crows-pick-out-the-eyes-of-the-dead-when-the-dead-have-no-longer-need/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/as-a-man-casting-off-worn-out-garments-taketh-new-ones-so-the-dweller/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/if-you-would-improve-submit-to-be-considered-wihout-sense-and-foolish/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/for-it-is-not-death-or-pain-that-is-to-be-feared-but-the-fear-of-pain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/what-else-can-i-do-a-lame-old-man-but-sing-hymns-to-god-if-i-were-a/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [People are disturbed not by things, but by the view they take of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/people-are-disturbed-not-by-things-but-by-the-view-they-take-of-them-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/small-minded-people-blame-others-average-people-blame-themselves-the/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) [Explore all 577 Epictetus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't demand or expect that events happen as you would wish them do. Accept events as they actually happen. 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