Epictetus, Golden Sayings 156

First of all, condemn the life you are now leading: but when you have condemned it, do not despair of yourself—be not like them of mean spirit, who once they have yielded, abandon themselves entirely and, as it were, allow the torrent to sweep them away. 

No; learn what the wrestling masters do. 

Has the boy fallen? 

"Rise," they say, "wrestle again, until your strength comes to you." 

Even thus should it be with you. 

For know that there is nothing more tractable than the human soul. It needs but to will, and the thing is done. The soul is set upon the right path: as on the contrary it needs but to nod over the task, and all is lost. 

For ruin and recovery alike are from within. 

IMAGE: George Luks, The Wrestlers (1905)