The Greek philosopher Epictetus recognised this two…
““The Greek philosopher Epictetus recognised this two thousand years ago when he wrote: ‘What disturbs and alarms man are not the things but his opinions and fancies about the things.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Our reactions stem from our interpretations, not the events themselves.
In simple terms: Opinions, not facts, cause distress.
Question your assumptions before reacting.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- stress management
- decision making
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What opinion is causing you stress?
- How can you reframe that belief?
Changing deep‑seated beliefs is difficult.