Dismay Quote by Epictetus
“What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.”
About This Quote
Distress arises not from events themselves but from our judgments about them; changing our interpretation reduces suffering.
In simple terms: Our thoughts, not events, disturb us.
Key Takeaway
Reframe perceptions to lessen anxiety.
Themes
cognition
emotion
stoicism
Mood
calm
insightful
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- reacting to criticism
- coping with loss
- handling workplace conflict
Key Concepts
cognitive reframing
mindfulness
Practical Applications
- practice cognitive restructuring
- use journaling to examine automatic thoughts
Questions to Reflect On
- What thoughts amplify your stress?
- How can you distinguish harmful events from harmful interpretations?
A Different Perspective
Some external events have objective harm that cannot be dismissed by reinterpretation.
