Epictetus Quotes
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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.
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If then all things that grow, nay, our own bodies, are thus bound up with the whole, is not this still truer of our souls? And if our souls are bound up and in contact with God, as being very parts and fragments plucked from Himself, shall He not feel every movement of theirs as though it were His own, and belonging to His own nature? (36).
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What is death? A scary mask. Take it off-see, it doesn't bite.
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Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.
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As it is pleasant to see the sea from the land, so it is pleasant for him who has escaped from troubles to think of them.
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Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.
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Choose the life that is noblest, for custom can make it sweet to thee.
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The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.
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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.
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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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Why, then, do you walk as if you had swallowed a ramrod?
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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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It doesn't take much to lose everything, just a little departure from reason.
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Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
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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.
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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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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.
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To the rational being only the irrational is unendurable, but the rational is endurable.
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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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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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We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
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Exceed due measure, and the most delightful things become the least delightful.
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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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When you want to hear a philosopher, do not say, 'You say nothing to me'; only show yourself worthy or fit to hear, and then you will see how you will move the speaker. (81).