Remember that in life you ought to behave as at a banquet. Stretch out your hand and… — Epictetus

Remember that in life you ought to behave as at a banquet. Stretch out your hand and take a portion with decency. Suppose that it passes by you: do not detain it. Suppose that it is not yet come to you: do not send your desire forward to it, but wait till it is opposite to you.

From George Long, Encheiridion (PD)