Nothing important comes into being overnight: Even grapes or figs need time to ripen.
If you you say that you want a fig now, I will tell you to wait. First you must allow the tree to flower, then to put forth fruit; then you have to wait until the fruit is ripe.
So if the fruit of a fig tree is not brought to maturity instantly or in an hour, how do you expect the human mind to come to fruition, so quickly and easily?’
– Epictetus, (Discourse 1.15.7-8)
This has to be one of my favourite quotes from Epictetus.
I read it every time I am frustrated by not knowing or understanding how do to something as soon as I have read about it.
I have even started repeating it to my son when he gets frustrated about something that he is trying to do.
Remember this quote, the next time you are hard on yourself for not getting something you were just shown.
