--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never say of anything I have lost it…" description: "\"Never say of anything I have lost it, only say that I have given it back.\" — Epictetus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/epictetus-413_coping_never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-onl_2844031.jpg" --- # Never say of anything I have lost it, only say that I have… ![“Never say of anything I have lost it, only say that I have given it back.” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/epictetus-413_coping_never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-onl_2844031.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/epictetus-413_coping_never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-onl_2844031.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/epictetus-413_coping_never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-onl_2844031.jpg) > “Never say of anything I have lost it, only say that I have given it back.” [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. Encourages reframing loss as a return, promoting acceptance and gratitude **In simple terms:** Lost items are given back, not gone Key Takeaway Practice gratitude for what returns Themes philosophy acceptance gratitude Mood contemplative calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - Grief counseling - financial loss - relationship breakups - personal setbacks Key Concepts Stoicism cognitive reframing Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply this when loss feels permanent? - What does “giving back” mean to you? A Different Perspective May minimize genuine grief or injustice ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coping/) ## Related quotes > [We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until we have stopped saying 'It got lost,' and say, 'I lost it.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/we-have-not-passed-that-subtle-line-between-childhood-and-adulthood-2/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until we move from the passive voice to the active voice — that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/we-have-not-passed-that-subtle-line-between-childhood-and-adulthood/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Never say about anything, "I have lost it," but only "I have given it back." Is your child dead? It has been given back.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/never-say-about-anything-i-have-lost-it-but-only-i-have-given-it-back/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“These people who detain us so pleasantly may decide to shoot us after all. It is a possibility. And if that is the case,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/these-people-who-detain-us-so-pleasantly-may-decide-to-shoot-us-after/) [Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/) > [Truly, when I say the show has given me everything, it's given me everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/truly-when-i-say-the-show-has-given-me-everything-it-s-given-me/) [John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/) > [“Who doesn't long for one more time of seeing someone they've loved and lost? And yet what would you say, what would you do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/who-doesn-t-long-for-one-more-time-of-seeing-someone-they-ve-loved/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [When you put your all in and people say 'he has given up,' that is hard to take.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-trump/when-you-put-your-all-in-and-people-say-he-has-given-up-that-is-hard/) [Judd Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-trump/) > [If you have something to say, you will be given the power to say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-you-have-something-to-say-you-will-be-given-the-power-to-say-it/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Is language all about desire? Is desire all about loss? Would we ever need to say anything if we never lost anything? Is everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/is-language-all-about-desire-is-desire-all-about-loss-would-we-ever/) [Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/) > [“Daniel Boone, when asked if he ever got lost out in the wilderness, replied, "I can't say I was ever lost, but I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-boone/daniel-boone-when-asked-if-he-ever-got-lost-out-in-the-wilderness/) [Daniel Boone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-boone/) > [You know what hurts the most?? ..The Fact That I Can't Say, I Lost YOU.Bcoz Apparently I Never HAD YOU...!! :(](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hemantsmarty/you-know-what-hurts-the-most-the-fact-that-i-can-t-say-i-lost-you/) Hemantsmarty > [It's tough to find the words to say to someone who has lost everything. I can't imagine how it feels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-peppers/it-s-tough-to-find-the-words-to-say-to-someone-who-has-lost/) [Julius Peppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-peppers/) > [“He'd lost track of what he wanted, and since who a person was what a person wanted, you could say that he'd lost track…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/he-d-lost-track-of-what-he-wanted-and-since-who-a-person-was-what-a/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [What did the farmer say when he lost his tractor? Where's my tractor?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-did-the-farmer-say-when-he-lost-his-tractor-where-s-my-tractor/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I've been thinking a lot about the word "everything." Whenever something horrible happens, you hear people say they "lost everything." They lost their house…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-brown/i-ve-been-thinking-a-lot-about-the-word-everything-whenever-something/) [Jennifer Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-brown/) ## 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 Coping quotes > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) > [I think for the rest of the day I'll turn to my comfort/coping mechanisms...red wine and online shopping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-for-the-rest-of-the-day-i-ll-turn-to-my-comfort-coping/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The body is thus not simply an 'entity', but is experienced as a practical mode of coping with external situations and events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-giddens/the-body-is-thus-not-simply-an-entity-but-is-experienced-as-a/) [Anthony Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-giddens/) > ['Johnny' was a coping mechanism who could take those things which could have ordinarily destroyed me, by tweaking my past and throwing it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-vegas/johnny-was-a-coping-mechanism-who-could-take-those-things-which-could/) [Johnny Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-vegas/) > [In terms of humor, it's a really powerful coping mechanism, and it gets you through really dark days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-victor/in-terms-of-humor-it-s-a-really-powerful-coping-mechanism-and-it-gets/) [Eva Victor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-victor/) > [Occasionally some individuals let the seeming ordinariness of life dampen their spirits. Though actually coping and growning, others lack the quiet, inner-soul satisfaction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/occasionally-some-individuals-let-the-seeming-ordinariness-of-life/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Punishment by definition isn't going to help. So what you need to do is to help people to change and recover is to help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maia-szalavitz/punishment-by-definition-isn-t-going-to-help-so-what-you-need-to-do/) [Maia Szalavitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maia-szalavitz/) > [Remaining calm in adversity is a sign of great spiritual strength. No matter what's going on in your life right now, Hold your peace!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/remaining-calm-in-adversity-is-a-sign-of-great-spiritual-strength-no/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [If something is bothering you right now, try not to make any decision in hurry instead take some time to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/if-something-is-bothering-you-right-now-try-not-to-make-any-decision/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [No one would feel embarrassed about seeking help for a child if they broke their arm and we really should be equally ready to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-middleton/no-one-would-feel-embarrassed-about-seeking-help-for-a-child-if-they/) [Kate Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-middleton/) > [“When I can’t fight, I need you to fight harder. When I can’t be strong anymore, I need you to be stronger." - Neela…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-seril/when-i-can-t-fight-i-need-you-to-fight-harder-when-i-can-t-be-strong/) Steven Seril > [“For every evil under the sun, There is a remedy, or there is none. If there be one, try and find it; If there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-goose-rhymes/for-every-evil-under-the-sun-there-is-a-remedy-or-there-is-none-if/) Mother Goose Rhymes > [This is my life now. Absurd, but unpredictable. Not absurd because unpredictable but unpredictable because absurd. If I have lost the meaning of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/this-is-my-life-now-absurd-but-unpredictable-not-absurd-because/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) > [Some say time heals the broken, but I say it gives answers for the unanswered questions and thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-say-time-heals-the-broken-but-i-say-it-gives-answers-for-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“To get through the night, I sometimes imagined the sky filled with a canopy of stars. I imagined that each star contained the soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-bialosky/to-get-through-the-night-i-sometimes-imagined-the-sky-filled-with-a/) [Jill Bialosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-bialosky/) [Browse all 462 Coping quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coping/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Never say of anything I have lost it, only say that I have given it back.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Epictetus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-only-say-that-i-have-given-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Coping" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-only-say-that-i-have-given-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/epictetus-413_coping_never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-onl_2844031.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/epictetus-413_coping_never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-onl_2844031.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/epictetus-413_coping_never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-onl_2844031.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Never say of anything I have lost it, only say that I have given it back.” — 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": "Never say of anything I have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-only-say-that-i-have-given-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/never-say-of-anything-i-have-lost-it-only-say-that-i-have-given-it/#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 } } ] } ```