Epictetus Quotes
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What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.
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Two principles we should always have ready — that there is nothing good or evil save in the will; and that we are not to lead events, but to follow them.
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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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Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.
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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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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 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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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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It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting.
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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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Wish that everything should come about just as it does.
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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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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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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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The best place to get help is from yourself.
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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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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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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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Unremarkable lives are marked by the fear of not looking capable when trying something new.
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To adorn our characters by the charm of an amiable nature shows at once a lover of beauty and a lover of man.
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One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.
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Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig.
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Let thy speech of God be renewed day by day, aye, rather than thy meat and drink.