Death Quote by Epictetus
““What disturbs men's minds is not events but their judgements on events: For instance, death is nothing dreadful, or else Socrates would have thought it so. No, the only dreadful thing about it is men's judgement that it is dreadful. And so when we are hindered, or disturbed, or distressed, let us never lay the blame on others, but on ourselves, that is, on our own judgements. To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education; to accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun; to accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Enchiridion by Epictetus, 2nd century AD
Our distress comes from our judgments, not from events themselves; recognizing this shifts responsibility to self‑assessment.
In simple terms: Events aren't the problem, our thoughts about them are.
Key Takeaway
Examine and reframe your judgments.
Themes
philosophy
self‑control
responsibility
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Crisis coping
- conflict resolution
- decision making
- stress management
Key Concepts
Stoicism
cognitive appraisal
personal growth
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your beliefs shape your reactions?
- What judgments can you revise?
A Different Perspective
Changing judgment can be difficult without self‑awareness.
