Remember that you are an actor in a play, and that the play is made by the author. If he wishes it to be short, it is short; if long, it is long. If he wishes you to act the part of a poor man, see that you act it well; and if a lame man, or a prince, or a private man, in like manner. For this is your business, to act well the part assigned you; to choose it is another's.
Stoic philosopher, former slave