Epictetus Quotes
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Consider the bigger picture.....think things through and fully commit!
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We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope.
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What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.
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What is yours is to play the assigned part well. But to choose it belongs to someone else.
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All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
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The flourishing life cannot be achieved until we moderate our desires and see how superficial and fleeting they are.
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First tell yourself what you want to be, then do what you need to do.
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If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.
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If you have assumed a character beyond your strength, you have both played a poor figure in that, and neglected one that is within your powers. (79).
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In order to please others, we loose our hold on our life's purpose.
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Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.
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No man is able to make progress when he is wavering between opposite things.
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If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.
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Getting distracted by trifles is the easiest thing in the world… Focus on your main duty.
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The soul's impurity consists in bad judgements, and purification consists in producing in it right judgements, and the pure soul is one which has right judgements, for this alone is proof against confusion and pollution in its functions.
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To live a life of virtue, you have to become consistent, even when it isn't convenient, comfortable, or easy.
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The soul that companies with Virtue is like an ever-flowing source. It is a pure, clear, and wholesome draught; sweet, rich, and generous of its store; that injures not, neither destroys.
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It is the sign of a dull mind to dwell upon the cares of the body, to prolong exercise, eating and drinking and other bodily functions. These things are best done by the way; all your attention must be given to the mind.
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If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things. Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust yourself. For, it is difficult to both keep your faculty of choice in a state conformable to nature, and at the same time acquire external things. But while you are careful about the one, you must of necessity neglect the other.
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Remember that it is not he who gives abuse or blows who affronts, but the view we take of these things as insulting. When, therefore, any one provokes you, be assured that it is your own opinion which provokes you. (20).
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We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character.
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If someone speaks badly of you, do not defend yourself against the accusations, but reply; "you obviously don't know about my other vices, otherwise you would have mentioned these as well.
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Appear to know only this,-never to fail nor fall.
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We all dread a bodily paralysis, and would make use of every contrivance to avoid it; but none of us is troubled about a paralysis of the soul.