Epictetus

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

— Epictetus

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

— Epictetus

Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.

— Epictetus

When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on…

— Epictetus

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

— Epictetus

Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own

— Epictetus

You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell…

— Epictetus

Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul…

— Epictetus

As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are…

— Epictetus

If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know…

— Epictetus

“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”

— Epictetus

What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do…

— Epictetus

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

— Epictetus

“Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness”

— Epictetus

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

— Epictetus

It was the first and most striking characteristic of Socrates never to become heated in discourse, never to utter an injurious or…

— Epictetus

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

— Epictetus

“Goodness exists independently of our conception of it. The good is out there and it always has been out there, even before…

— Epictetus

If you wish to be a writer, write.

— Epictetus

What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is…

— Epictetus

Against specious appearances we must set clear convictions, bright and ready for use. When death appears as an evil, we ought immediately…

— Epictetus

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

— Epictetus

“Be careful to leave your sons [and daughters] well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than…

— Epictetus

From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you…

— Epictetus

It doesn't take much to lose everything, just a little departure from reason

— Epictetus