Epictetus

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

— Epictetus

“No man can rob us of our Will—no man can lord it over that!”

— Epictetus

You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be.

— Epictetus

Man is not fully free unless he is master of himself.

— Epictetus

No living being is held by anything so strongly as its own needs.

— Epictetus

If you see anybody wail and complain, call him a slave, though he be clad in purple.

— Epictetus

Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.

— Epictetus

It were no slight attainment could we merely fulfil what the nature of man implies.

— Epictetus

Any one thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence to a humble and grateful mind.

— Epictetus

I am always content with what happens; for I know that what God chooses is better than what I choose.

— Epictetus

There is but one way to tranquility of mind and happiness, and that is to account no external things thine own, but…

— Epictetus

Do not strive for things occurring to occur as you wish, but wish the things occurring as they occur, and you will…

— Epictetus

It's so simple really: If you say you're going to do something, do it. If you start something, finish it.

— Epictetus

A vulgar man, in any ill that happens to him, blames others; a novice in philosophy blames himself; and a philosopher blames…

— Epictetus

Things themselves don't hurt or hinder us. Things simply are what they are. How we view these things is another matter.People think…

— Epictetus

Give me by all means the shorter and nobler life, instead of one that is longer but of less account!

— Epictetus

He is free who lives as he wishes to live; who is neither subject to compulsion nor to hindrance, nor to force;…

— Epictetus

“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free,…

— Epictetus

As in walking it is your great care not to run your foot upon a nail, or to tread awry, and strain…

— Epictetus

I must die. I must be imprisoned. I must suffer exile. But must I die groaning? Must I whine as well? Can…

— Epictetus

When something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it. It is not the things that disturb us,…

— Epictetus

Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers and incantations to rise, but shines forth and is welcomed by all: so…

— Epictetus

Avoid banquets which are given by strangers an ignorant persons. But if there is ever occasion to join them, let your attention…

— Epictetus

When you actively engage in gradually refining yourself, you retreat from your lazy ways of covering yourself or making excuses. Instead of…

— Epictetus

“Everyone's life is a warfare, and that long and various.”

— Epictetus

Some of their faults men readily admit, but others not so readily.

— Epictetus

Consider the bigger picture…think things through and fully commit!

— Epictetus

People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.

— Epictetus

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.

— Epictetus

“Never say of anything that I've lost it, only that Ive given it back.”

— Epictetus

You ought to choose both physician and friend, not the most agreeable, but the most useful.

— Epictetus

Events do not just happen, but arrive by appointment.

— Epictetus

Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.

— Epictetus

Happiness and personal fulfillment are the natural consequences of doing the right thing.

— Epictetus

What is learned without pleasure is forgotten without remorse.

— Epictetus

If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.

— Epictetus

We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.

— Epictetus

Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them

— Epictetus

We ought to flee the friendship of the wicked, and the enmity of the good.

— Epictetus

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

— Epictetus