Stoic Snippets 168

It is your duty to order your life well in every single act; and if every act does its duty as far as is possible, be content; and no one is able to hinder you so that each act shall not do its duty. 

"But something external will stand in the way." 

Nothing will stand in the way of your acting justly and soberly and considerately. 

"But perhaps some other active power will be hindered." 

Well, but by acquiescing in the hindrance and by being content to transfer your efforts to that which is allowed, another opportunity of action is immediately put before you in place of that which was hindered, and one which will adapt itself to this ordering of which we are speaking. 

—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.32