Epictetus Quotes
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Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.
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And are all profited by what they hear, or only some among them? So that it seems that there is an art of hearing as well as one of speaking. (81).
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No man is free who is not master of himself.
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Silence is safer than speech.
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Truth is a thing immortal and perpetual, and it gives to us a beauty that fades not away in time, nor does it take away the freedom of speech which proceeds from justice; but it gives to us the knowledge of what is just and lawful, separating from them the unjust and refuting them.
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Some of their faults men readily admit, but others not so readily.
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Authentic happiness is always independent of external conditions. Vigilantly practice polite indifference to that which we can't control. Your happiness can only be found within.
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It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting.
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It is our attitude toward events, not events themselves, which we can control. Nothing is by its own nature calamitous -- even death is terrible only if we fear it.
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Concerning the Gods, there are those who deny the very existence of the Godhead; others say that it exists, but neither bestirs nor concerns itself not has forethought far anything. A third party attribute to it existence and forethought, but only for great and heavenly matters, not for anything that is on earth. A fourth party admit things on earth as well as in heaven, but only in general, and not with respect to each individual. A fifth, of whom were Ulysses and Socrates, are those that cry: -- I move not without Thy knowledge!
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No great thing is created suddenly. There must be time. Give your best and always be kind.
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Wish that everything should come about just as it does.
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Unremarkable lives are marked by the fear of not looking capable when trying something new.
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Remember that you are in actor in a play of such a kind that the author chooses...For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part belongs to another.
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Let thy speech of God be renewed day by day, aye, rather than thy meat and drink.
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Who is there whom bright and agreeable children do not attract to play and creep and prattle with them?
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If anyone is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault... Nothing else is the cause of anxiety or loss of tranquility except our own opinion.
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One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.
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Reason is not measured by size or height, but by principle.
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Whoever wants to be free, therefore, let him not want or avoid anything that is up to others. Otherwise he will necessarily be a slave.
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Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them.
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The best place to get help is from yourself.
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Whoever then wishes to be free, let him neither wish for anything nor avoid anything which depends on others: if he does not observe this rule, he must be a slave.
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Circumstances don't make the man, they only reveal him to himself.