Know What You Can Control and What You Can't     

要知道什麼是你能控制與不能控制的       --Epictetus

Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learn to distinguish between what you can and you can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.

快樂與自由始於清楚了解一個原則：有些事情在我們的控制之內，有些則否。唯有在你面對這基本原則並學習分辨能否控制之間的差別之後，才有可能達成內在的寧靜與外在事物的有效性。

Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, desires, and the things that repel us. These areas are quite rightly our concern, because they are directly subject to our influence. We always have a choice about the contents and character of our inner lives.

在我們控制之內的是：我們的意見、渴望、慾望、以及我們對事物的厭惡。這些範圍正是我們所關心的，因為它們直接由我們的影響力所支配。對於我們內在生命的內容與特性，我們總是有選擇餘地的。

Outside our control, however, are such things as what kind of body we have, whether we're born into wealth or strike it rich, how we are regarded by others, and our status in society. We must remember that those things are externals and are therefore not our concern. Trying to control or to change what we can't only results in torment.

然而，在我們控制之外的諸如：我們擁有哪一種身體、是否誕生在有錢的家庭裡、別人如何看待我們、以及我們的社會地位等等。我們必須記住那些事情都是外在的，也因此都不關我們的事。試圖去控制或去改變我們不能控制的事情只會帶來痛苦。

Remember: the things within our power are naturally at our disposal, free from any restraint or hindrance; but those things outside our power are weak, dependent, or determined by whims and actions of others. Remember, too, that if you think that you have free rein over things that are naturally beyond your control or if you attempt to adopt the affairs of others as your own, your pursuits will be thwarted and you will become a frustrated, anxious, and fault finding person.

要記得：在我們控制範圍內的事物自然由我們支配，而沒有任何東西能阻止或妨礙我們；但那些不在我們控制範圍內的都由不得我們，它們都由別人反復無常的行動來決定。也要記住，如果你認為你可以隨意支配那些在你控制之外的事物，或者你試圖干預別人的事，你不但會徒勞無功，你還會變成一個沮喪、焦慮、吹毛求疵的傢伙。