Epictetus Quotes
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The materials of action are variable, but the use we make of them should be constant.
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If a man has reported to you, that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make any defense (answer) to what has been told you: but reply, The man did not know the rest of my faults, for he would not have mentioned these only. (33) tr. George Long (1888).
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Don’t consent to be hurt and you won’t be hurt – this is a choice over which you have control.
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Be not diverted from your duty by any idle reflections the silly world may make upon you, for their censures are not in your power and should not be at all your concerns.
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When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shun the being seen to do it, even though the world should make a wrong supposition about it; for, if you don't act right, shun the action itself; but, if you do, why are you afraid of those who censure you wrongly? (35).
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Try to enjoy the great festival of life with other men. (3).
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To a reasonable creature, that alone is insupportable which is unreasonable; but everything reasonable may be supported.
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Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths.
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Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.
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'My brother ought not to have treated me thus.' True: but he must see to that. However he may treat me, I must deal rightly by him. This is what lies with me, what none can hinder. (97).
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Ruin and recovering are both from within.
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When one maintains his proper attitude in life, he does not long after externals.
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What will the world be quite overturned when you die?
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Cowardice, the dread of what will happen.
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Freedom and happiness come from understanding - and working with - our limits. Begin at once a program of self-mastery. Stick with your purpose. Do not seek external approval. Do not worry about anything outside of your control. The only things you command are your thoughts and actions. We choose our response. Stop aspiring to be anyone other than your own best self: for that does fall within your control.
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A man that seeks truth and loves it must be reckoned precious to any human society.
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If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.
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When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they do not see how they can get rid of it. Nevertheless, both arrive; and the gods have ordered it so, in the end men seek it from the gods.
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Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be; or they neither are, nor appear to be; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task.
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It were no slight attainment could we merely fulfil what the nature of man implies.
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Your master is he who controls that on which you have set your heart or wish to avoid.
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At every occasion in your life, do not forget to commune with yourself and ask of yourself how you can profit by it.
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Against specious appearances we must set clear convictions, bright and ready for use. When death appears as an evil, we ought immediately to remember that evils are things to be avoided, but death is inevitable.
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To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.