The Works of Epictetus: Discourses, Enchiridion, and Fragments

But what says Zeus? "O Epictetus, if it had been possible, I would have made this little body and property of yours free and not liable to hindrance. But now, do not mistake; it is not your own, but only a finer mixture of clay. Since, then, I could not give you this, I have given you a certain portion of myself: this faculty of exerting the powers of pursuit and avoidance, of desire and aversion, and, in a word, the use of the appearances of things. Taking care of this point, and making what is your own consist in this, you will never be restrained, never be hindered; you will not groan, you will not complain, you will not flatter anyone. How, then? Do all these advantages seem small to you? Heaven forbid! Let them suffice you, then, and thank the gods."

But now, when it is in our power to take care of one thing and to apply ourselves to one, we choose rather to take care of many and to encumber ourselves with many—body, property, brother, friend, child, and slave—and, by this multiplicity of encumbrances, we are burdened and weighed down. Thus, when the weather does not happen to be fair for sailing, we sit in distress and gaze out perpetually. Which way is the wind? North. What good will that do us? When will the west wind blow? When it pleases, friend, or when Aeolus pleases; for Zeus has not made you the dispenser of the winds, but Aeolus.Aeolus: The Greek god of the winds.