My favorite Greek dude

Recently I realized most of what I do for a living has been described rather nicely by Epictetus (Greek dude, way back when, white robes 'n stuff, first slave then free).

"First, say to yourself what you would be.
Then do what you have to do."

"We are disturbed not by events, but by the views which we take of them."

"No thing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen."

"In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside."

"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows."

I think that captures very accurately a close encounter with me.

Suck on those for a while, amigos.