Epictetus
Greek Stoic philosopher, about 50-135
87 quotes.
Quotes by Epictetus
- A person is not going to undertake to learn anything that they think they already know.
- A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.
- Another person will not hurt you without your cooperation. You are hurt the moment you believe yourself to be.
- Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.
- Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.
- Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.
- Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact. We inadvertently adopt their interests, their opinions, their values, and their habit of interpreting events.
- Be not hurried away by excitement, but say, "Semblance, wait for me a little. Let me see what you are and what you represent. Let me try you.
- Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself.
- Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.
- Difficulties are things that show what men are.
- Difficulties show a person’s character.
- Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.
- Every difficulty in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and to invoke our own submerged inner resources. The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths.
- Every habit and faculty is maintained and increased by the corresponding actions: the habit of walking by walking, the habit of running by running. If you would be a good reader, read; if a writer, write.
- Every habit and faculty is preserved and increased by correspondent actions, — as the habit of walking, by walking; of running, by running.
- Finally decide that you are an adult who is going to devote the rest of your life to making progress.
- First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
- First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
- Forgiveness is better than revenge; for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge the sign of a savage nature.
- Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.
- Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.
- From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do – now.
- Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths.
- He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
- He who is not happy with little will never be happy with much.
- How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?
- If any one tells you such a one has spoken ill of you, do not refute them in that particular; but answer, had he known all my vices, he had not spoken only of that one.
- If any one tells you that such a person speaks ill of you, do not make excuse about what is said of you, but answer: "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone."
- If evil be said of thee, and if it be true, correct thyself; if it be a lie, laugh at it.
- If you cannot frame your circumstances in accordance with your wishes, frame your will into harmony with your circumstances.
- If you didn’t learn these things in order to demonstrate them in practice, what did you learn them for?
- If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend its increase.
- If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: “He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned.
- If you want to improve, you must be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
- You become what you give your attention to…If you yourself don’t choose what thoughts and images you expose yourself to, someone else will.
- In prosperity it is very easy to find a friend; but in adversity it is the most difficult of all things.
- It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.
- It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
- It is inevitable if you enter into relationships with people on a regular basis that you will grow to be like them.