Epictetus Quotes
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Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact. We inadvertently adopt their interests, their opinions, their values, and their habit of interpreting events.
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By accepting life's limits and inevitabilities and working with them rather than fighting them, we become free.
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Liars are the cause of all the sins and crimes in the world.
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What is death? A scary mask. Take it off-see, it doesn't bite.
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What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's part; if I were a swan, I would do as a swan. But now I am a rational creature, and I ought to praise God. This is my work. I do it, nor will I desert my post, so long as I am allowed to keep it. And I ask you to join me in this same song.
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Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
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Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, �He who is content.
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The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.
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We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
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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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And be silent for the most part, or else make only the most necessary remarks, and express these in few words. But rarely, and when occasion requires you to talk, talk, indeed, but about no ordinary topics. Do not talk about gladiators, or horseraces, or athletes, or things to eat or drink - topics that arise on all occasions; but above all, do not talk about people, either blaming, or praising, or comparing them.
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It was the first and most striking characteristic of Socrates never to become heated in discourse, never to utter an injurious or insulting word-on the contrary, he persistently bore insult from others and thus put an end to the fray. (64).
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-….when things seem to have reached that stage, merely say “I won’t play any longer”, and take your departure; but if you stay, stop lamenting.
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Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.
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It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.
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Exceed due measure, and the most delightful things become the least delightful.
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At this time is freedom anything but the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.
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Don't be concerned who is watching you. The triumphs and merits of others belong to them - as do yours to you. Make the most of what you've got.
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Nothing is in reality either pleasant or unpleasant by nature but all things become so through habit.
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No great thing is created suddenly.
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It doesn't take much to lose everything, just a little departure from reason.
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Know you not that a good man does nothing for appearance sake, but for the sake of having done right?
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As you think, so you become.....Our busy minds are forever jumping to conclusions, manufacturing and interpreting signs that aren't there.
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Nothing outside the will can hinder or harm the will; it can only harm itself. If then we accept this, and, when things go amiss, are inclined to blame ourselves, remembering that judgment alone can disturb our peace and constancy, I swear to you by all the gods that we have made progress.