Epictetus Quotes
-
-….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.
-
What is death? A scary mask. Take it off-see, it doesn't bite.
-
In theory it is easy to convince an ignorant person; in actual life, men not only object to offer themselves to be convinced, but hate the man who has convinced them.
-
What is it to be a philosopher? Is it not to be prepared against events?
-
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
-
Everything has two handles; the one soft and manageable, the other such as will not endure to be touched. If then your brother do you an injury, do not take it by the hot hard handle, by representing to yourself all the aggravating circumstances of the fact; but look rather on the soft side, and extenuate it as much as is possible, by considering the nearness of the relation, and the long friendship and familiarity between you--obligations to kindness which a single provocation ought not to dissolve. And thus you will take the accident by its manageable handle.
-
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.
-
The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.
-
Anything worth putting off is worth abandoning altogether.
-
Fortune is an evil chain to the body, and vice to the soul.
-
If thou rememberest that God standeth by to behold and visit all that thou doest; whether in the body or in the soul, thou surely wilt not err in any prayer or deed; and thou shalt have God to dwell with thee.
-
Embrace reality. Think about what delights you - the small luxuries on which you depend, the people whom you cherish most. But remember that they have their own distinct character, which is quite a separate matter from how we happen to regard them.
-
For what constitutes a child?-Ignorance. What constitutes a child?-Want of instruction; for they are our equals so far as their degree of knowledge permits.
-
Dare to look up to God and say, Deal with me in the future as Thou wilt; I am of the same mind as Thou art; I am Thine; I refuse nothing that pleases Thee; lead me where Thou wilt; clothe me in any dress Thou choosest.
-
Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.
-
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.
-
Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, �He who is content.
-
Exceed due measure, and the most delightful things become the least delightful.
-
When any person treats you ill or speaks ill of you, remember that he does this or says this because he thinks it is his duty. It is not possible, then, for him to follow that which seems right to you, but that which seems right to himself.
-
A thing either is what it appears to be; or it is not, but yet appears to be; or it is, but does not appear to be; or it is not, and does not appear to be.
-
Choose the life that is noblest, for custom can make it sweet to thee.
-
To the rational being only the irrational is unendurable, but the rational is endurable.
-
At this time is freedom anything but the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.
-
Don't regard what anyone says of you, for this, after all, is no concern of yours.