Epictetus Quotes
If, therefore, any be unhappy, let him remember that he is unhappy by reason of himself alone.
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things; and thence proceed to greater.
For I am not Eternity, but a human being; a part of the whole, as an hour is part of the day. I must come like the hour, and like the hour must pass!
Fortify thyself with contentment: that is an impregnable stronghold.
In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside.
Whoever does not regard what he has as most amply wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.
Try to enjoy the great festival of life.
Let no man think that he is loved by any who loveth none.
For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.
Everything has two handles, one by which it may be borne, the other by which it may not.
Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don't talk how persons ought to eat, but eat as you ought. For remember that in this manner Socrates also universally avoided all ostentation.
Give me by all means the shorter and nobler life, instead of one that is longer but of less account!
If you wish to be well spoken of, learn to speak well of others: and when you have learned to speak well of them, try to act well, and so you will reap the fruit of being well spoken of.
It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.
The soul that companies with Virtue is like an ever-flowing source. It is a pure, clear, and wholesome draught; sweet, rich, and generous of its store; that injures not, neither destroys.
Thou shalt not blame or flatter any.
You are a little soul, carrying a corpse.
Don’t hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace.
The bond of the body is loosened by nature through death but the bond of the soul is loosened by learning, experience and by discipline.
Choose the life that is noblest, for custom can make it sweet to thee.
It is difficulties that show what men are.
Variant: Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.
One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.
What wouldst thou be found doing when overtaken by Death? If I might choose, I would be found doing some deed of true humanity, of wide import, beneficent and noble. But if I may not be found engaged in aught so lofty, let me hope at least for this - what none may hinder, what is surely in my power - that I may be found raising up in myself that which had fallen; learning to deal more wisely with the things of sense; working out my own tranquillity, and thus rendering that which is its due to every relation of life….
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Punish your passions, so that you may not be punished by them.
If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.
Freedom is the name of virtue: Slavery, of vice…. None is a slave whose acts are free.
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.
Only the educated are free.
Control thy passions, lest they take vengeance on thee.
