refuse.......................

 In particular, the Stoics don't think it is helpful for people to consider themselves victims of society—or victims of anything else, for that matter.  If you consider yourself a victim, you are not going to have a good life; if, however, you refuse to think of yourself as a victim—if you refuse to let your inner self by conquered by your external circumstances—you are likely to have a good life, no matter what turn your external circumstances take.

-William B. Irvine, A Guide to the Good Life (the ancient art of stoic joy)