Action Quote by Epictetus
“If what the philosophers say be true, that all men's actions proceed from one source; that as they assent from a persuasion that a thing is so, and dissent from a persuasion that it is not, and suspend their judgment from a persuasion that it is uncertain, so likewise they seek a thing from a persuasion that it is for their advantage.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Discourses, Book 2, Chapter 12, c. 108 AD
Human actions stem from convictions; we act when we deem something true, refrain when we deem it false, and pause when uncertain, seeking what benefits us.
In simple terms: Actions follow beliefs; we act on what we think is true.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with clear, beneficial convictions.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
human behavior
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- leadership
- ethical deliberation
Key Concepts
Stoicism
decision making
motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- What convictions guide your daily choices?
- How do you handle uncertainty?
A Different Perspective
Beliefs may be misguided, leading to harmful actions.
![“What philosophers say about actuality [Virkelighed] is often just as disappointing as it is when one reads on a sign in a secondhand shop: Pressing Done Here. If a person were to bring his clothes to be pressed, he would be duped, for the sign is merely for sale.” quote by Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d3e/s-ren-kierkegaard-1686_actuality_what-philosophers-say-about-actuality-vi_454667.jpg)
