First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak..
—Epictetus
Topics: Communication, Speaking, Speakers, Meaning
The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
—Epictetus
Topics: Truth
So when the crisis is upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a tough and stalwart antagonist-that you may prove a victor at the Great Games. Yet without toil or sweat this may not be.
—Epictetus
Topics: Religion
It is the sign of a dull mind to dwell upon the cares of the body, to prolong exercise, eating and drinking, and other bodily functions. These things are best done by the way; all your attention must be given to the mind.
—Epictetus
Topics: Mind, The Mind, Eating
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.
—Epictetus
Topics: Fear
Men are not influenced by things, but by their thoughts about things.
—Epictetus
Topics: Thought
If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase. At first, keep quiet and count the days when you were not angry: I used to be angry every day, then every other day: next, every two, then every three days! and if you succeed in passing thirty days, sacrifice to the gods in thanksgiving.
—Epictetus
Topics: Anger
Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.
—Epictetus
Topics: Anger
Demand not that events should happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do, and you will go on well.
—Epictetus
If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these; for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always an approach toward it.
—Epictetus
Topics: Virtue, Progress
There is but one way to tranquillity of mind and happiness; let this, therefore, be always ready at hand with thee, both when thou wakest early in the morning, and all the day long, and when thou goest late to sleep, to account no external things thine own, but commit all these to God.
—Epictetus
Topics: Happiness
Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.
—Epictetus
Topics: Hope
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
—Epictetus
Topics: Philosophy
Chastise your passions, that they may not chastise you. No one who is a lover of money, of pleasure, or of glory, is likewise a lover of mankind. Riches are not among the number of things that are good. It is not poverty that causes sorrow, but covetous desires. Deliver yourself from appetite, and you will be free. He who is discontented with things present and allotted, is unskilled in life.
—Epictetus
Topics: Passion
Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.
—Epictetus
A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.
—Epictetus
Topics: Living, Life
Never in any case say I have lost such a thing, but I have returned it. Is your child dead? It is a return. Is your wife dead? It is a return. Are you deprived of your estate? is not this also a return?
—Epictetus
Topics: Loss, Losing, Losers
It is your own convictions which compels you; that is, choice compels choice.
—Epictetus
Topics: Choices, Choice
If any one speak ill of thee, consider whether he hath truth on his side; and if so, reform thyself, that his censures may not affect thee.
—Epictetus
And have you not received faculties which will enable you to bear all that happens to you? Have you not received greatness of spirit? Have you not received courage? Have you not received endurance?
—Epictetus
Topics: Courage
For it is not death or hardship that is a fearful thing, but the fear of death and hardship.
—Epictetus
Topics: Fear
Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil.
—Epictetus
What ought one to say then as each hardship comes? “I was practicing for this, I was training for this.”
—Epictetus
As in walking it is your great care not to run your foot upon a nail, or to tread awry, and strain your leg; so let it be in all the affairs of human life, not to hurt your mind or offend your judgment. And this rule, if observed carefully in all your deportment, will be a mighty security to you in your undertakings.
—Epictetus
Topics: Judgment
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.
—Epictetus
Topics: Wishes
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.
—Epictetus
Topics: Education, Adversity
Only the educated are free.
—Epictetus
Topics: Learn, Wisdom, Society, Education
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
—Epictetus
Topics: Power
If you would be good, first believe you are bad.
—Epictetus
Topics: Repentance
It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.
—Epictetus
Topics: Pleasure
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Plutarch Greek Biographer
- Heraclitus Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Aristotle Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Xenocrates Greek Philosopher, Scientist
- Plato Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Epicurus Greek Philosopher
- Bias of Priene Greek Orator
- Plotinus Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mystic
- Euripides Ancient Greek Dramatist
- Homer Ancient Greek Poet
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