So you wish to conquer in the Olympic games, my friend And I too, by the Gods, and a fine thing it would be But first mark the conditions and the consequences, and then set to work. You will have to put yourself under discipline to eat by rule, to avoid cakes and sweetmeats to take exercise at the appointed hour whether you like it or no, in cold and heat to abstain from cold drinks and from wine at your will in a word, to give yourself over to the trainer as to a physician. Then in the conflict itself you are likely enough to dislocate your wrist or twist your ankle, to swallow a great deal of dust, or to be severely thrashed, and, after all these things, to be defeated.
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If you set your heart upon philosophy, you must straightway prepare yourself to be laughed at and mocked by many who will say Behold a philosopher arisen among us or How came you by that brow of scorn But do you cherish no scorn, but hold to those things which seem to you the best, as one set by God in that place. Remember too, that if you abide in those ways, those who first mocked you, the same shall afterwards reverence you but if you yield to them, you will be laughed at twice as much as before.
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If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.
Epictetus
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Based on Topics: Discipline Quotes, Failure Quotes, Games Quotes, God Quotes, Medicine & Medical Quotes, Work & Career QuotesBased on Keywords: dislocate, sweetmeats, thrashed
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