Epictetus

When you want to hear a philosopher, do not say, 'You say nothing to me'; only show yourself worthy or fit to…

— Epictetus

Ask yourself, "How are my thoughts, words and deeds affecting my friends, my spouse, my neighbour, my child, my employer, my subordinates,…

— Epictetus

Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.

— Epictetus

A soul which is conversant with virtue is like an ever flowing source, for it is pure and tranquil and potable and…

— Epictetus

When your thoughts, words, and deeds form a seamless fabric, you streamline your efforts and thus eliminate worry and dread.

— Epictetus

Who are those people by whom you wish to be admired? Are they not these whom you are in the habit of…

— Epictetus

Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they…

— Epictetus

“What saith Antisthenes? Hast thou never heard?— It is a kingly thing, O Cyrus, to do well and to be evil spoken…

— Epictetus

“Show me a man who though sick is happy, who though in danger is happy, who though in prison is happy, and…

— Epictetus

In a word, neither death, nor exile, nor pain, nor anything of this kind is the real cause of our doing or…

— Epictetus

Two principles we should always have ready — that there is nothing good or evil save in the will; and that we…

— Epictetus

We are not to give credit to the many, who say that none ought to be educated but the free; but rather…

— Epictetus

If any be unhappy, let him remember that he is unhappy by reason of himself alone. For God hath made all men…

— Epictetus

The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.

— Epictetus

Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth…

— Epictetus

“To admonish is better than to reproach for admonition is mild and friendly, but reproach is harsh and insulting; and admonition corrects…

— Epictetus

“[Do not get too attached to life] for it is like a sailor's leave on the shore and at any time, the…

— Epictetus