Stoic quotes on control

Some things are under our control, while others are not under our control. Under our control are conception, choice, desire, aversion, and, in a word, everything that is our own doing; not under our control are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, everything that is not our own doing.

It is not the things themselves that disturb men, but their judgements about these things.

If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs thee, but thy own judgment about it. And it is in thy power to wipe out this judgment now.

The universe is transformation: life is opinion.

It is in our power to have no opinion about a thing, and not to be disturbed in our soul; for things themselves have no natural power to form our judgments.

One is that things do not touch the soul, for they are external and remain immovable; but our perturbations come only from the opinion which is within.

For no one will harm you without your consent; you will have been harmed only when you think you are harmed.

The beginning is in our own power; fortune decides the issue, but I do not allow her to pass sentence upon myself.

Well, then, is it not better to use what is in thy power like a free man than to desire in a slavish and abject way what is not in thy power?

…it is not men's acts which disturb us, for those acts have their foundation in men's ruling principles, but it is our own opinions which disturb us.

Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.

The things however which are proper to the understanding no other man is used to impede, for neither fire, nor iron, nor tyrant, nor abuse, touches it in any way.