No one can hurt you

People don’t have the power to hurt you. Even if someone shouts abuse at you or strikes you, if you are insulted, it is always your chice to view what is happening as insulting or not. If someone irritates you it is your own response that is irritating you. Therefore, when someone seems to be provoking you, remember that it is your judgement of the incident that provokes you. Don’t let your emotions get ignited by mere appearances.

Try not to merely react in the moment. Pull back from the situation. Take a wider view; compose yourself.

Wise words from a 1st century Roman stoic philosopher, Epictetus, whose teachings have been compiled for the posterity in this book: The Art of Living: The Classic Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness.

Very much useful (as a rage-moderator) when the provoker happens to be the taxman or member of the law. Or your boss; or, the bitter half!

But the world expects you to react if insulted and pay them back in their own coin, lest you would be taken for a weakling. May be Epictetus’ teachings should wait for the Utopia to be ushered in.

But right here, the law of the jungle rules.

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