Concept
Control
Sorting what is actually up to you from what is not, and spending your effort accordingly.
16 passages · 7 traditions
Confucian
PhilosophyA philosophical argument
Analects XII.4Sze-ma Niu asked about the superior man. The Master said, "The superior man has neither anxiety nor fear." "Being without anxiety or fear!" said Niu;—"does this constitute what we call the s…PhilosophyA philosophical argument
Analects XV.20–21The Master said, "What the superior man seeks, is in himself. What the mean man seeks, is in others." The Master said, "The superior man is dignified, but does not wrangle. He is sociable, b…
Hindu
ScriptureRead as scripture by its tradition
Isa Upanishad, verse IAll this, whatsoever exists in the universe, should be covered by the Lord. Having renounced (the unreal), enjoy (the Real). Do not covet the wealth of any man.…ScriptureRead as scripture by its tradition
Isa Upanishad, verse IIIf one should desire to live in this world a hundred years, one should live performing Karma (righteous deeds). Thus thou mayest live; there is no other way. By doing this, Karma (the fruits…
Jewish
New Thought
Research
Stoic
PhilosophyA philosophical argument
Enchiridion IThere are things which are within our power, and there are things which are beyond our power. Within our power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion, and, in one word, whatever affairs are our…PracticeAn instruction for practice
Enchiridion IVWhen you set about any action, remind yourself of what nature the action is. If you are going to bathe, represent to yourself the incidents usual in the bath—some persons pouring out, others…PhilosophyA philosophical argument
Enchiridion VMen are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of things. Thus death is nothing terrible, else it would have appeared so to Socrates. But the terror consists in our notion…PhilosophyA philosophical argument
Enchiridion VIIIDemand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.…PhilosophyA philosophical argument
Enchiridion XINever say of anything, "I have lost it," but, "I have restored it." Has your child died? It is restored. Has your wife died? She is restored. Has your estate been taken away? That likewise i…PhilosophyA philosophical argument
Meditations IV.3This then remains: Remember to retire into this little territory of thy own, and above all do not distract or strain thyself, but be free, and look at things as a man, as a human being, as a…
Taoist
PracticeAn instruction for practice
Tao Teh King, ch. 10When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating. When one gives undivided attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the utmos…ScriptureRead as scripture by its tradition
Tao Teh King, ch. 44Or fame or life, Which do you hold more dear? Or life or wealth, To which would you adhere? Keep life and lose those other things; Keep them and lose your life:—which brings Sorrow and pain…ScriptureRead as scripture by its tradition
Tao Teh King, ch. 8The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which al…