Epictetus Enchiridion and Cebes Tabula (1660)

Chapter VI.

Remember that the promise of desire is the attainment of what you desire, and the promise of aversion is not falling into what you avoid. He who fails to obtain what he desires is unfortunate, and he who falls into what he would avoid is miserable. If, therefore, you avoid only those things contrary to nature among the things within your own power, you will never fall into anything you seek to avoid. But if you try to avoid sickness, death, or poverty, you will be miserable.