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It takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it.
Epictetus -
Don't be concerned who is watching you. The triumphs and merits of others belong to them - as do yours to you. Make the most of what you've got.
Epictetus
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When you actively engage in gradually refining yourself, you retreat from your lazy ways of covering yourself or making excuses. Instead of feeling a persistent current of low-level shame, you move forward by using the creative possibilities of this moment, your current situation.
Epictetus -
It doesn't take much to lose everything, just a little departure from reason.
Epictetus -
-….when things seem to have reached that stage, merely say “I won’t play any longer”, and take your departure; but if you stay, stop lamenting.
Epictetus -
When a youth was giving himself airs in the Theatre and saying, 'I am wise, for I have conversed with many wise men,' Epictetus replied, 'I too have conversed with many rich men, yet I am not rich!’.
Epictetus -
When we blather about trivial things, we ourselves become trivial, for our attention gets taken up with trivialities. You become what you give your attention to.
Epictetus -
To live a life of virtue, match up your thoughts, words, and deeds.
Epictetus
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Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.
Epictetus -
When you want to hear a philosopher, do not say, 'You say nothing to me'; only show yourself worthy or fit to hear, and then you will see how you will move the speaker. (81).
Epictetus -
Confidence in nonsense is a requirement for the creative process.
Epictetus -
These reasonings are unconnected: "I am richer than you, therefore I am better"; "I am more eloquent than you, therefore I am better." The connection is rather this: "I am richer than you, therefore my property is greater than yours;" "I am more eloquent than you, therefore my style is better than yours." But you, after all, are neither property nor style.
Epictetus -
What ought one to say then as each hardship comes? I was practicing for this, I was training for this.
Epictetus -
Remember that you are but an actor, acting whatever part the Master has ordained. It may be short or it may be long. If he wishes you to represent a poor man, do so heartily; if a cripple, or a magistrate, or a private man, in each case act your part with honor.
Epictetus
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He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
Epictetus -
If someone irritates you, it is only your own response that is irritating you. Therefore, when anyone seems to be provoking you, remember that it is only your judgment of the incident that provokes you.
Epictetus -
Don’t consent to be hurt and you won’t be hurt – this is a choice over which you have control.
Epictetus -
It is the act of an ill-instructed man to blame others for his own bad condition; it is the act of one who has begun to be instructed, to lay the blame on himself; and of one whose instruction is completed, neither to blame another, nor himself. (5) tr. George Long (1888).
Epictetus -
Does a man reproach thee for being proud or ill-natured, envious or conceited, ignorant or detracting? Consider with thyself whether his reproaches are true. If they are not, consider that thou art not the person whom he reproaches, but that he reviles an imaginary being, and perhaps loves what thou really art, though he hates what thou appearest to be.
Epictetus -
Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcome.
Epictetus
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Your master is he who controls that on which you have set your heart or wish to avoid.
Epictetus -
Any one thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence to a humble and grateful mind.
Epictetus -
No matter what happens, it is within my power to turn it to my advantage.
Epictetus -
Don't regard what anyone says of you, for this, after all, is no concern of yours.
Epictetus