Epictetus Quotes
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Seek not the good in external things;seek it in yourselves.
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From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do -- now.
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Envy is the antagonist of the fortunate.
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The Beginning of Philosophy is a Consciousness of your own Weakness and inability in necessary things.
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Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.
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Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.
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There is but one way to tranquility of mind and happiness, and that is to account no external things thine own, but to commit all to God.
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Events do not just happen, but arrive by appointment.
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Dare to look up to God and say, 'Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt. I am of the same mind; I am one with Thee. I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee. Lead me whither Thou wilt. Clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt.'
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Think of God more often than thou breathest.
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If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
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Study how to give as one that is sick: that thou mayest hereafter give as one that is whole. Fast; drink water only; abstain altogether from desire, that thou mayest hereafter confirm thy desire to Reason. (101).
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For he who is unmusical is a child in music; he who is without letters is a child in learning; he who is untaught, is a child in life.
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If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: 'He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned.'
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We should not have either a blunt knife or a freedom of speech which is ill-managed.
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Τίς εἶναι θέλεις, σαυτῷ πρῶτον εἰπέ: εἶθ' οὕτως ποίει ἃ ποιεῖς.
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If thou rememberest that God standeth by to behold and visit all that thou doest; whether in the body or in the soul, thou surely wilt not err in any prayer or deed; and thou shalt have God to dwell with thee.
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Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.
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Let death and exile, and all other things which appear terrible be daily before your eyes, but chiefly death, and you win never entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet anything.
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He that hath no musical instruction is a child in Music; he that hath no letters is a child in Learning; he that is untaught is a child in Life. (105).
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Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions. (1).
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Choose the life that is noblest, for custom can make it sweet to thee.
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Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you and be silent.
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If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.