Epictetus Quotes & Sayings

When one maintains his proper attitude in life, he does not long after externals. — Epictetus

Never say of anything that I've lost it, only that Ive given it back. — Epictetus

The soul is unwillingly deprived of truth. — Epictetus

And be silent for the most part, or else make only the most necessary remarks, and express these in few words. But rarely, and when occasion requires you to talk, talk, indeed, but about no ordinary topics. Do not talk about gladiators, or horseraces, or athletes, or things to eat or drink - topics that arise on all occasions; but above all, do not talk about people, either blaming, or praising, or comparing them. — Epictetus

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. — Epictetus

Not things, but opinions about things, trouble men. — Epictetus

It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgements concerning them. — Epictetus

There are two things that must be rooted out in human beings - arrogant opinion and mistrust. Arrogant opinion expects that there is nothing further needed, and mistrust assumes that under the torrent of circumstance there can be no happiness. — Epictetus

It is better to die of hunger having lived without grief and fear, than to live with a troubled spirit, amid abundance — Epictetus

Fight against yourself, recover yourself to decency, to modesty, to freedom. And, in the first place, condemn your actions; but when you have condemned them, do not despair of yourself. For both ruin and recovery are from within. — Epictetus

Pain or pleasure? I say pleasure. — Epictetus

It is your own convictions which compels you; that is, choice compels choice. — Epictetus

Don't seek that all that comes about should come about as you wish, but wish that everything that comes about should come about just as it does, and then you'll have a calm and happy life. — Epictetus

What is learned without pleasure is forgotten without remorse. — Epictetus

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.' — Epictetus

Since it is Reason which shapes and regulates all other things, it ought not itself to be left in disorder. — Epictetus

Men are not troubled by things themselves, but by their thoughts about them — Epictetus

Does a man reproach thee for being proud or ill-natured, envious or conceited, ignorant or detracting? Consider with thyself whether his reproaches are true. If they are not, consider that thou art not the person whom he reproaches, but that he reviles an imaginary being, and perhaps loves what thou really art, though he hates what thou appearest to be. — Epictetus

It is the act of an ill-instructed man to blame others for his own bad condition; it is the act of one who has begun to be instructed, to lay blame on himself; and of one whose instruction is completed, neither to blame another, nor himself. — Epictetus

Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope. — Epictetus

Nothing great comes into being all at once, for that is not the case even with a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me now, 'I want a fig,' I'll reply, 'That takes time. — Epictetus

There are some faults which men readily admit, but others not so readily. — Epictetus

It is always our choice whether or not we wish to pay the price for life's rewards. And often it is best for us not to pay the price, for the price might be our integrity. — Epictetus

Remember, it is not enough to be hit or insulted to be harmed, you must believe that you are being harmed. If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to maintain control. — Epictetus

Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater. — Epictetus

What would have become of Hercules do you think if there had been no lion, hydra, stag or boar - and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such challenges?

Obviously he would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep. So by snoring his life away in luxury and comfort he never would have developed into the mighty Hercules.

And even if he had, what good would it have done him? What would have been the use of those arms, that physique, and that noble soul, without crises or conditions to stir into him action? — Epictetus

Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man, otherwise it would be admitting something that lies beyond its proper subject-matter. For as the material of the carpenter is wood, and that of statuary bronze, so the subject-matter of the art of living is each person's own life. — Epictetus

If a man is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault, for God made all men to be happy. — Epictetus

Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible. — Epictetus

Whatever your mission, stick by it as if it were a law and you would be committing sacrilege to betray it. Pay no attention to whatever people might say; this no longer should influence you. — Epictetus

It is more necessary for the soul to be cured than the body; for it is better to die than to live badly. — Epictetus

The man has to learn 'what each specific thing means', as Socrates often said, and stop casually applying preconceptions to individual cases.
This is the cause of everyone's troubles, the inability to apply common preconceptions to particulars. Instead the opinions of men as to what is bad diverge. — Epictetus

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain. — Epictetus

When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn't have to look outside themselves for approval. — Epictetus

If you would be good, first believe you are bad. — Epictetus

If a person had delivered up your body to some passer-by, you would certainly be angry. And do you feel no shame in delivering up your own mind to any reviler, to be disconcerted and confounded? — Epictetus

Fortify yourself with contentment for this is an impregnable fortress. — Epictetus

He is free who lives as he wishes to live; who is neither subject to compulsion nor to hindrance, nor to force; whose movements to action are not impeded, whose desires attain their purpose, and who does not fall into that which he would avoid. — Epictetus

What, for instance, does it mean to be insulted? [29] Stand by a rock and insult it, and what have you accomplished? If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective? If, however, he has his victim's weakness to exploit, then his efforts are worth his while. — Epictetus

What is death? A "tragic mask." Turn it and examine it. See, it does not bite. The poor body must be separated from the spirit either now or later, as it was separated from it before. Why, then, are you troubled, if it be separated now? for if it is not separated now, it will be separated afterward. Why? That the period of the universe may be completed, for it has need of the present, and of the future, and of the past. What is pain? A mask. Turn it and examine it. The poor flesh is moved roughly, then, on the contrary, smoothly. If this does not satisfy you, the door is open: if it does, bear. For the door ought to be open for all occasions; and so we have no trouble. — Epictetus

If you would improve, be content to be thought foolish and dull with regard to externals. Do not desire to be thought to know anything; and though you should appear to others to be somebody, distrust yourself. For be assured, it is not easy at once to keep your will in harmony with nature and to secure externals; but while you are absorbed in the one, you must of necessity neglect the other. XIV — Epictetus

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them. — Epictetus

I am not eternity, but a man; a part of the whole, as an hour is of the day. — Epictetus

If what the philosophers say be true, that all men's actions proceed from one source; that as they assent from a persuasion that a thing is so, and dissent from a persuasion that it is not, and suspend their judgment from a persuasion that it is uncertain, so likewise they seek a thing from a persuasion that it is for their advantage. — Epictetus

Does anyone bathe hastily? Do not say that they do it ill, but hastily. Does anyone drink much wine? Do not say that they do ill, but that they drink a great deal. For unless you perfectly understand their motives, how should you know if they act ill? Thus you will not risk yielding to any appearances except those you fully comprehend. — Epictetus

Although we can't control which roles are assigned to us, it must be our business to act our given role as best we possibly can and to refrain from complaining about it. Where ever you find yourself and in whatever circumstances, give an impeccable performance. — Epictetus

If I can acquire money and also keep myself modest and faithful and magnanimous, point out the way, and I will acquire it. — Epictetus

What you shun enduring yourself, attempt not to impose on others. You shun slavery- beware enslaving others! If you can endure to do that, one would think you had been once upon a time a slave yourself. For vice has nothing in common with virtue, nor Freedom with slavery. — Epictetus

All religions must be tolerated ... for every man must get to heaven in his own way. — Epictetus

Faced with pain, you will discover the power of endurance. If you are insulted, you will discover patience. In time, you will grow to be confident that there is not a single impression that you will not have the moral means to tolerate. — Epictetus

I have learned to see that whatever comes about is nothing to me if it lies beyond the sphere of choice. — Epictetus

What then, is it not possible to be free from faults? It is not possible; but this is possible: to direct your efforts incessantly to being faultess. For we must be content if by never remitting this attention we shall escape at least a few errors. When you have said "Tomorrow I will begin to attend," you must be told that you are saying this: "Today I will be shameless, disregardful of time and place, mean;it will be in the power of others to give me pain, today I will be passionate and envious.
See how many evil things you are permitting yourself to do. If it is good to use attention tomorrow, how much better is it to do so today? If tomorrow it is in your interest to attend, much more is it today, that you may be able to do so tomorrow also, and may not defer it again to the third day. — Epictetus

Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own — Epictetus

Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, "He who is content. — Epictetus

It is better by assenting to truth to conquer opinion, than by assenting to opinion to be conquered by truth. — Epictetus

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it. — Epictetus

Your master is he who controls that on which you have set your heart or wish to avoid. — Epictetus

These are the signs of a wise man: to reprove nobody, to praise nobody, to blame nobody, nor even to speak of himself or his own merits. — Epictetus

In every affair consider what precedes and what follows, and then undertake it — Epictetus

Happiness is an equivalent for all troublesome things. — Epictetus

Epictetus being asked how a man should give pain to his enemy answered, By preparing himself to live the best life that he can. — Epictetus

Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from few wants. — Epictetus

Make it your goal never to fail in your desires or experience things you would rather avoid; try never to err in impulse and repulsion; aim to be perfect also in the practice of attention and withholding judgment. — Epictetus

Be not swept off your feet by the vividness of the impression, but say, Impression, wait for me a little. Let me see what you are and what you represent. Let me try you. — Epictetus

The essence of good and evil is a certain disposition of the will. — Epictetus

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are. — Epictetus

It is not my place in society that makes me well off, but my judgements, and these I can carry with me ... These alone are my own and cannot be taken away. — Epictetus

It is my business, to manage carefully and dexterously whatever happens — Epictetus

Control thy passions lest they take vengence on thee. ~ Epictetus — Epictetus

Anything worth putting off is worth abandoning altogether. — Epictetus

Nothing truly stops you. Nothing truly holds you back. For your own will is always within your control. — Epictetus

We aren't filled with fear except by things that are bad; and not by them, either, as long as it is in our power to avoid them. — Epictetus

What disturbs people, these are not things, but the judgments relating to things — Epictetus

Why are you pestering me, pal? My own evils are enough for me. — Epictetus

We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character. — Epictetus

Try to enjoy the great festival of life with other men. — Epictetus

But first consider how much more sparing and patient of hardship the poor are than we. — Epictetus

First to those universal principles I have spoken of: these you must keep at command, and without them neither sleep nor rise, drink nor eat nor deal with men: the principle that no one can control another's will, and that the will alone is the sphere of good and evil. — Epictetus

Look at the matter in this way. Since we can see that a dog is fitted by nature to do one thing, and a horse to do another, and a nightingale, if you like, to do yet another, it wouldn't be absurd for one to declare overall that each of them is beautiful precisely in so far as it best fulfils its own nature; and since each is different in nature, it would seem to me that each of them is beautiful in a different way. Isn't that so? The student agreed. — Epictetus

Think of God oftener than you breathe. — Epictetus

Nothing outside the will can hinder or harm the will; it can only harm itself. If then we accept this, and, when things go amiss, are inclined to blame ourselves, remembering that judgment alone can disturb our peace and constancy, I swear to you by all the gods that we have made progress. — Epictetus

Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly. — Epictetus

Covetousness like jealousy, when it has taken root, never leaves a person, but with their life. Cowardice is the dread of what will happen. — Epictetus

In order to please others, we loose our hold on our life's purpose. — Epictetus

Whenever anyone criticizes or wrongs you, remember that they are only doing or saying what they think is right. They cannot be guided by your views, only their own; so if their views are wrong, they are the ones who suffer insofar as they are misguided. — Epictetus

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best. — Epictetus

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid. — Epictetus

If what charms you is nothing but abstract principles, sit down and turn them over quietly in your mind: but never dub yourself a Philosopher. — Epictetus

Everything has two handles; the one soft and manageable, the other such as will not endure to be touched. If then your brother do you an injury, do not take it by the hot hard handle, by representing to yourself all the aggravating circumstances of the fact; but look rather on the soft side, and extenuate it as much as is possible, by considering the nearness of the relation, and the long friendship and familiarity between you
obligations to kindness which a single provocation ought not to dissolve. And thus you will take the accident by its manageable handle. — Epictetus

REST. - If a man should be able to assent to this doctrine as he ought, that we are all sprung from God in an especial manner, and that God is the father both of men and of gods, I suppose that he would never have any ignoble or mean thoughts about himself. But if Caesar (the emperor) should adopt you, no one could endure your arrogance; and if you know that you are the son of Zeus, will you not be elated? — Epictetus

It is much better to die of hunger unhindered by grief and fear than to live affluently beset with worry, dread, suspicion and unchecked desire. — Epictetus

I must die; so must I die groaning too? — Epictetus

Whoever is going to listen to the philosophers needs a considerable practice in listening. — Epictetus

Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly. — Epictetus

An uninstructed person will lay the fault of his own bad condition upon others. Someone just starting instruction will lay the fault on himself. Some who is perfectly instructed will place blame neither on others nor on himself. — Epictetus

If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always an approach toward it. — Epictetus

Ask yourself: Does this appearance (of events) concern the things that are within my own control or those that are not? If it concerns anything outside your control, train yourself not to worry about it. — Epictetus

It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting. — Epictetus

If you want to make progress, put up with being perceived as ignorant or naive in worldly matters, don't aspire to a reputation for sagacity. If you do impress others as somebody, don't altogether believe it. You have to realize, it isn't easy to keep your will in agreement with nature, as well as externals. Caring about the one inevitably means you are going to shortchange the other. — Epictetus

For sheep don't throw up the grass to show the shepherds how much they have eaten; but, inwardly digesting their food, they outwardly produce wool and milk. — Epictetus