--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not so much what happens to you as…" description: "\"“It is not so much what happens to you as how you think about what happens.”\" — Epictetus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61b/epictetus-413_attitude_it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as_1094181.jpg" --- # It is not so much what happens to you as how you think… ![“It is not so much what happens to you as how you think about what happens.” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61b/epictetus-413_attitude_it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as_1094181.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61b/epictetus-413_attitude_it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as_1094181.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61b/epictetus-413_attitude_it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as_1094181.jpg) > ““It is not so much what happens to you as how you think about what happens.”” [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Your perception of events determines their impact, not the events themselves. **In simple terms:** Thought shapes experience. Key Takeaway Control your mindset to influence outcomes. Themes mindset perception control Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - stress management - conflict resolution - personal growth Key Concepts stoicism cognitive framing Questions to Reflect On - How do you reinterpret setbacks? - What mental habits help you stay neutral? A Different Perspective Changing perception can be difficult without practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ## Related quotes > [It is not so much what happens to you as how you think about what happens." Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as-how-you-think-about-what-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Death is something that happens to others, you think, until it happens to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-rosenblatt/death-is-something-that-happens-to-others-you-think-until-it-happens/) [Roger Rosenblatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-rosenblatt/) > [You can just put songs out and see what happens. I think that is really important to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lola-young/you-can-just-put-songs-out-and-see-what-happens-i-think-that-is/) [Lola Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lola-young/) > [I think that when something happens when you're growing up, like a death or divorce, it does open the world slightly because things aren't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-think-that-when-something-happens-when-you-re-growing-up-like-a/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [“That happens in life sometimes, doesn't it? Something terrible happens and you think it's the worst thing ever and then it turns out to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-morgan/that-happens-in-life-sometimes-doesn-t-it-something-terrible-happens/) [Sarah Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-morgan/) > [Whenever something bad happens to me, I always think back of what I did to deserve this karma?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whenever-something-bad-happens-to-me-i-always-think-back-of-what-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No one knows what happens when we think therefore we can never really ever know anything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eyedea/no-one-knows-what-happens-when-we-think-therefore-we-can-never-really/) [Eyedea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eyedea/) > [Sometimes what happens I think is that actors finish a movie and they go, oh my god, I'm never going to work again, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-hill/sometimes-what-happens-i-think-is-that-actors-finish-a-movie-and-they/) [Jonah Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-hill/) > [“Oh, I'm starting to cry again. That's what happens when you think about life being fair. And I can't explain why it isn't .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-smith/oh-i-m-starting-to-cry-again-that-s-what-happens-when-you-think-about/) [L.J. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-smith/) > [When anything huge happens to me, I always think, this isn't my moment, this is a moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tig-notaro/when-anything-huge-happens-to-me-i-always-think-this-isn-t-my-moment/) [Tig Notaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tig-notaro/) > [No one really knows exactly what happens when we think, Therefore we can never really ever know anything...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eyedea/no-one-really-knows-exactly-what-happens-when-we-think-therefore-we/) [Eyedea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eyedea/) > [Reality is not so much what happens to us; rather, it is how we think about those events that create the reality we experience.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/reality-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-us-rather-it-is-how-we-think/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [It goes back to the if identity becomes your achievement, what do you do, this is what happens? And I do think it leads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/it-goes-back-to-the-if-identity-becomes-your-achievement-what-do-you/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [LOVE, A situation which happens when you think almost as much of another as you do of yourself;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/love-a-situation-which-happens-when-you-think-almost-as-much-of/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [When you get older, you see what happens. You think you can do things. You see stuff that you think you can do, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-mosley/when-you-get-older-you-see-what-happens-you-think-you-can-do-things/) [Shane Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-mosley/) ## More by Epictetus > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/practice-yourself-for-heaven-s-sake-in-little-things-and-then-proceed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-laugh-much-or-often-or-unrestrainedly/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-not-disturbed-by-what-happens-to-us-but-by-our-thoughts-about/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-be-prideful-with-any-excellence-that-is-not-your-own/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/you-know-yourself-what-you-are-worth-in-your-own-eyes-and-at-what/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/crows-pick-out-the-eyes-of-the-dead-when-the-dead-have-no-longer-need/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/as-a-man-casting-off-worn-out-garments-taketh-new-ones-so-the-dweller/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/if-you-would-improve-submit-to-be-considered-wihout-sense-and-foolish/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/for-it-is-not-death-or-pain-that-is-to-be-feared-but-the-fear-of-pain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/what-else-can-i-do-a-lame-old-man-but-sing-hymns-to-god-if-i-were-a/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [People are disturbed not by things, but by the view they take of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/people-are-disturbed-not-by-things-but-by-the-view-they-take-of-them-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/small-minded-people-blame-others-average-people-blame-themselves-the/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) [Explore all 577 Epictetus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is not so much what happens to you as how you think about what happens.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Epictetus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as-how-you-think-about-what/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as-how-you-think-about-what/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61b/epictetus-413_attitude_it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as_1094181.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61b/epictetus-413_attitude_it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as_1094181.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61b/epictetus-413_attitude_it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as_1094181.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is not so much what happens to you as how you think about what happens.” — Epictetus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Epictetus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It is not so much what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as-how-you-think-about-what/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/it-is-not-so-much-what-happens-to-you-as-how-you-think-about-what/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```