--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To Epictetus, all external events are…" description: "\"To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionatel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/epictetus-413_accepting_to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-det_2793649.jpg" --- # To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate… ![“To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. Individuals, however, are responsible for their own actions which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. Suffering…” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/epictetus-413_accepting_to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-det_2793649.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/epictetus-413_accepting_to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-det_2793649.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/epictetus-413_accepting_to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-det_2793649.jpg) > “To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. Individuals, however, are responsible for their own actions which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power. As part of the universal city that is the universe, human beings have a duty of care to all fellow humans. The person who followed these precepts would achieve happiness.” [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. We cannot control external events, only our responses; freedom comes from focusing on what we can change and caring for others. **In simple terms:** Control your reactions, not fate. Key Takeaway Focus on inner discipline and compassion. Themes stoicism self‑control ethics happiness Mood calm reflective determined Type philosophical ethical motivational When to use this quote - personal decision‑making - conflict resolution - leadership - mental health - community service Key Concepts determinism virtue duty Questions to Reflect On - What can you let go of today? - How does caring for others affect your own peace? A Different Perspective It may be hard to distinguish what truly lies within our power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Cities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Determined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Neglect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neglect/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-discipline/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/suffering-arises-from-trying-to-control-what-is-uncontrollable-or/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [The discipline of suffering, of great suffering - do you not know that it is this discipline alone that has produced all the elevations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-discipline-of-suffering-of-great-suffering-do-you-not-know-that/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [The discipline of suffering, of great suffering- do you not know that only this discipline has created all enhancements of man so far? That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-discipline-of-suffering-of-great-suffering-do-you-not-know-that-2/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [There is a certain kind of maturity that can be attained only through the discipline of suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/there-is-a-certain-kind-of-maturity-that-can-be-attained-only-through/) [D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/) > [You can work hard, do everything that you think is right, but one thing you'll never overcome in life is fate. You can't control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-petty/you-can-work-hard-do-everything-that-you-think-is-right-but-one-thing/) [Richard Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-petty/) > [Fate is not in your control. Your choices along the way may affect the path, but the end is where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fate-is-not-in-your-control-your-choices-along-the-way-may-affect-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Challenge who you can be, don't let fate control your future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/challenge-who-you-can-be-don-t-let-fate-control-your-future/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [“Challenge who you can be, don't let fate control your future. Fate can come to rule your life if you don't decide for yourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/challenge-who-you-can-be-don-t-let-fate-control-your-future-fate-can/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [“Fate and destiny go hand in hand. It is impossible to change our destiny. Only the path upon which we walk to reach our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-belfield/fate-and-destiny-go-hand-in-hand-it-is-impossible-to-change-our/) [J.A. Belfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-belfield/) > [There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/there-is-so-much-about-my-fate-that-i-cannot-control-but-other-things/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [If you want to understand suffering you must look into the situation at hand. The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-want-to-understand-suffering-you-must-look-into-the-situation/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Whenever we feel that we are definitely right, so much so that we refuse to open up to anything or anybody else, right there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/whenever-we-feel-that-we-are-definitely-right-so-much-so-that-we/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [A self - a me - exists in every thought and every emotion. Suffering arises through complete identification with thinking and emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/a-self-a-me-exists-in-every-thought-and-every-emotion-suffering/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“Buddhism, which does not center on a god, but rather on a human who said suffering arises from craving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fastreads/buddhism-which-does-not-center-on-a-god-but-rather-on-a-human-who/) FastReads > [“One creates ownership and then does egoism towards it, that is why suffering arises. No one is a boss/owner of anyone. Whose things and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/one-creates-ownership-and-then-does-egoism-towards-it-that-is-why/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## 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 Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. Individuals, however, are responsible for their own actions which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power. As part of the universal city that is the universe, human beings have a duty of care to all fellow humans. The person who followed these precepts would achieve happiness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Epictetus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-determined-by-fate-and-are-thus/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accepting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-determined-by-fate-and-are-thus/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/epictetus-413_accepting_to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-det_2793649.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/epictetus-413_accepting_to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-det_2793649.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/epictetus-413_accepting_to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-det_2793649.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept…” — 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": "To Epictetus, all external events are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-determined-by-fate-and-are-thus/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/to-epictetus-all-external-events-are-determined-by-fate-and-are-thus/#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 } } ] } ```