“Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning:

What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion?
What for tranquility?
What am I? A mere body, estate-holder, or reputation? None of these things. What, then? A rational being.
What then is demanded of me? Meditate on your actions.
How did I steer away from serenity?
What did I do that was unfriendly, unsocial, or uncaring?
What did I fail to do in all these things?”

—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.6.34–35

 

Há, no amor, um imenso mar de imprescindibilidade. À partida, não é absolutamente necessário. Acordamos, respiramos, comemos, fazemos, cumprimos, pensamos e sentimos. Somos. Pela metade. Meramente metade.