Thoughts from John Karahalis

Don't complain about a trade-off you're willing to make

What is the price of lettuces? An obolus perhaps. If then a man gives up the obolus, and receives the lettuces, and if you do not give up the obolus and do not obtain the lettuces, do not suppose that you receive less than he who has got the lettuces; for as he has the lettuces, so you have the obolus which you did not give… Give then the price, if it is for your interest, for which it is sold. But if you wish both not to give the price and to obtain the things, you are insatiable and silly.

—The Enchiridion of Epictetus, as translated by George Long

In other words, don't complain about a trade-off you're willing to make. You can buy an apple at the farmer's market, or you can keep your money and leave without one, but you can't demand an apple and refuse to pay. That just makes you a jerk.

In the same way, if your spouse dislikes being corrected, you can correct them and accept their annoyance, or you can let it go and appreciate the peace, but you can't correct them and then complain when they become annoyed. Well, even then, you can. You just can't force other people to think you're being reasonable.

#Life