Epictetus Quotes
Most popular Epictetus Quotes
Only the educated are free.
Let a man accept his destiny.
Nothing is to be had for nothing.
If you wish to be a writer, write.
No great thing is created suddenly.
Forgiveness is better than punishment.
It is difficulties that show what men are.
No man is free who is not master of himself.
There is nothing good or evil save in the will.
All philosophy in two words—sustain and abstain.
The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.
If you would be a reader, read; if a writer, write.
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
Chastise your passions, that they may not chastise you.
First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
He who glories in his luck may be overthrown by destiny.
It's not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.
Men are not disturbed by things, but the view they take of things.
We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope.
A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.
People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.
Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.
What is it to be a philosopher? Is it not to be prepared against events?
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
It is your own conviction which compels you; that is, choice compels choice.
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
It is not events that disturb the minds of men, but the view they take of them.
It is impossible for any man to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows.
Seek not good from without: seek it within yourselves, or you will never find it.
Remember never to say that you are alone; nay, God is within, and your genius is within.
For with slight efforts how should we obtain great results? It is foolish even to desire it.
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things; and thence proceed to greater things.
Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.
Men are disturbed not by the things that happen but by their opinion of the things that happen.
One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.
There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.
Ask not that events should happen as you will, but let your will be that events should happen as they do, and you shall have peace.
The first business of philosophy is to part from self-conceit. For it is impossible for any man to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows.
We must not believe the many, who say that only free people ought to be educated, but we should rather believe the philosophers who say that only the educated are free.
It is the critical moment that shows the man. So when the crisis is upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a tough and stalwart antagonist.
Lampis the ship owner, on being asked how he acquired his great wealth, replied, 'My great wealth was acquired with no difficulty, but my small wealth, my first gains, with much labour.'
If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself, say: "Obviously he does not know me very well since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned."
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
