This essay aims to explain, starting from Socrates, the firm opposition of the ancient philosophers to the tragic feeling of life and to lamentation about the evils of existence. The analysis uses some references to Plato and Aristotle to show aspects of continuity in their ethical prescriptions: the call to take responsibility of our own lives; the prohibition of complaining for the bad luck; the invitation to cultivate virtue. Finally we analyze the extreme case of the Stoic ethics, which on one hand offers the unique value of virtue, on the other a rational and benevolent image of Fate. With prescription to accept the offer of the destiny voluntarily, with the commitment to perform well the task assigned.