34. Look at Both Sides of the Moment

When pleasure promises itself, Epictetus says, buy yourself time. Look forward to both sides of the moment, the before and the after.

If you are struck by the look of some promised pleasure, guard yourself against being carried off by it.

Let the matter wait on your own timing. Give yourself a delay.

Then bring two moments to your mind at once. First, the time when you will enjoy the pleasure. Second, the time afterward, when you will regret it and blame yourself.

Set against both of these how you will rejoice and approve of yourself if you hold back.

Even if it seems a fitting pleasure, take care that its inviting and friendly and pulling force does not get you.

Set against it the satisfaction of knowing you won a great victory over yourself.

What this means. Before you grab at a pleasure, wait one minute. In that minute, ask yourself how you will feel an hour after you took it.