Remember to act always as if you were at a symposium. When the food or drink comes around, reach out and take some politely; if it passes you by don't try pulling it back. And if it has not reached you yet, don't let your desire run ahead of you, be patient until your turn comes. Adopt a similar attitude with regard to children, wife, wealth and status, and in time, you will be entitled to dine with the gods. Go further and decline these goods even when they are on offer and you will have a share in the gods' power as well as their company. That is how Diogenes, Heraclitus and philosophers like them came to be called, and considered, divine.
📖 Epictetus
Epictetus advises us to maintain a composed and patient demeanor, as if we were attending a formal symposium. When faced with opportunities, such as food or drink, we should accept them gracefully if they come our way but refrain from forcefully reaching for them if they haven't yet arrived. This principle extends to our desires for children, wealth, and status; by practicing patience and self-restraint, we align ourselves closer to a virtuous life.
Furthermore, Epictetus suggests that true wisdom lies in the ability to decline these worldly pleasures even when they are readily available. By doing so, we not only gain a deeper understanding of life's transient nature but also associate ourselves with the divine. This philosophy, exemplified by thinkers like Diogenes and Heraclitus, emphasizes the power of moderation and the worthiness of inner strength over material gain.
