-
Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. Once you have determined the spiritual principles you wish to exemplify, abide by these rules as if they were laws, as if it were indeed sinful to compromise them. Don't mind if others don't share your convictions. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer.
Epictetus -
I apply to you to come and hear that you are in evil case; that what deserves your attention most is the last thing to gain it; that you know not good from evil, and are in short a hapless wretch; a fine way to apply! though unless the words of the Philosopher affect you thus, speaker and speech are alike dead. (120).
Epictetus
-
Liars are the cause of all the sins and crimes in the world.
Epictetus -
What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's part; if I were a swan, I would do as a swan. But now I am a rational creature, and I ought to praise God. This is my work. I do it, nor will I desert my post, so long as I am allowed to keep it. And I ask you to join me in this same song.
Epictetus -
Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, �He who is content.
Epictetus -
Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.
Epictetus -
As it is pleasant to see the sea from the land, so it is pleasant for him who has escaped from troubles to think of them.
Epictetus -
It was the first and most striking characteristic of Socrates never to become heated in discourse, never to utter an injurious or insulting word-on the contrary, he persistently bore insult from others and thus put an end to the fray. (64).
Epictetus
-
Exceed due measure, and the most delightful things become the least delightful.
Epictetus -
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
Epictetus -
Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.
Epictetus -
And be silent for the most part, or else make only the most necessary remarks, and express these in few words. But rarely, and when occasion requires you to talk, talk, indeed, but about no ordinary topics. Do not talk about gladiators, or horseraces, or athletes, or things to eat or drink - topics that arise on all occasions; but above all, do not talk about people, either blaming, or praising, or comparing them.
Epictetus -
The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.
Epictetus -
We do not choose our own parts in life, and have nothing to do with those parts. Our duty is confined to playing them well.
Epictetus
-
It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.
Epictetus -
No great thing is created suddenly.
Epictetus -
Nothing is in reality either pleasant or unpleasant by nature but all things become so through habit.
Epictetus -
At this time is freedom anything but the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.
Epictetus -
Nothing outside the will can hinder or harm the will; it can only harm itself. If then we accept this, and, when things go amiss, are inclined to blame ourselves, remembering that judgment alone can disturb our peace and constancy, I swear to you by all the gods that we have made progress.
Epictetus -
The materials of action are variable, but the use we make of them should be constant.
Epictetus
-
Know you not that a good man does nothing for appearance sake, but for the sake of having done right?
Epictetus -
Covetousness like jealousy, when it has taken root, never leaves a person, but with their life. Cowardice is the dread of what will happen.
Epictetus -
Why, then, do you walk as if you had swallowed a ramrod?
Epictetus -
As you think, so you become.....Our busy minds are forever jumping to conclusions, manufacturing and interpreting signs that aren't there.
Epictetus