Epictetus Quotes
-
If you would be good, first believe that you are bad.
-
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).
-
Ask yourself: Does this appearance (of events) concern the things that are within my own control or those that are not? If it concerns anything outside your control, train yourself not to worry about it.
-
Although we can't control which roles are assigned to us, it must be our business to act our given role as best we possibly can and to refrain from complaining about it. Where ever you find yourself and in whatever circumstances, give an impeccable performance.
-
If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.
-
Consider the bigger picture.....think things through and fully commit!
-
The flourishing life cannot be achieved until we moderate our desires and see how superficial and fleeting they are.
-
There is only one thing for which God has sent me into the world, and that is to develop every kind of virtue or strength, and there is nothing in all the world that I cannot use for this purpose.
-
What is it that every man seeks? To be secure, to be happy, to do what he pleases without restraint and without compulsion.
-
Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, and desires and the demons that distract us from these goals. Outside of our control are such things as what kind of body we have, whether or not we are born into wealth, and how we are regarded by others.
-
The materials are indifferent, but the use we make of them is not a matter of indifference.
-
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
-
It is impossible that happiness, and yearning for what is not present, should ever be united.
-
You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.
-
Bid a singer in a chorus, Know Thyself; and will he not turn for the knowledge to the others, his fellows in the chorus, and to his harmony with them?
-
And have you not received faculties which will enable you to bear all that happens to you? Have you not received greatness of spirit? Have you not received courage? Have you not received endurance?
-
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.
-
We must be afraid of neither poverty nor exile nor imprisonment; of fear itself only should we be afraid.
-
If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase.
-
We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope.
-
Be not swept off your feet by the vividness of the impression, but say, 'Impression, wait for me a little. Let me see what you are and what you represent. Let me try you.'
-
If you see anybody wail and complain, call him a slave, though he be clad in purple.
-
Upon all occasions we ought to have these maxims ready at hand:
-
If you have assumed a character above your strength, you have both acted in this matter in an unbecoming way, and you have neglected that which you might have fulfilled.