Epictetus quotes - page 2

Circumstances don't make the man, they only reveal him to himself. (Epictetus)
Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly. View quote
Epictetus
What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows. View quote
Epictetus
It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them. View quote
Epictetus
Not every difficult and dangerous thing is suitable for training, but only that which is conducive to success in achieving the object of our effort. View quote
Epictetus
Shall I show you the sinews of a philosopher 'What sinews are those' A will undisappointed evils avoided powers daily exercised careful resolutions unerring decisions. View quote
Epictetus
A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope. View quote
Epictetus
One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent. View quote
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.' View quote
Epictetus
If you would be a reader, read if a writer, write. View quote
Epictetus
The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests. (Epictetus)
Remember that you ought to behave in life as you would at a banquet. As something is being passed around it comes to you stretch out your hand, take a portion of it politely. It passes on do not detain it. Or it has not come to you yet do not project your desire to meet it, but wait until it comes in front of you. So act toward children, so toward a wife, so toward office, so toward wealth. View quote
Epictetus
Any one thing in the creation is suffiocient to demonstrate a Providence to a humble and grateful mind. View quote
Epictetus
It was the first and most striking characteristic of Socrates never to become heated in discourse, never to utter an injurious or insulting word-on the contrary, he persistently bore insult from others and thus put an end to the fray. (64). View quote
Epictetus
If any be unhappy, let him remember that he is unhappy by reason of himself alone. For God hath made all men to enjoy felicity and constancy of good. View quote
Epictetus
When you want to hear a philosopher, do not say, 'You say nothing to me'; only show yourself worthy or fit to hear, and then you will see how you will move the speaker. (81). View quote
Epictetus
Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions. (1). View quote
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 the blame on himself; and of one whose instruction is completed, neither to blame another, nor himself. (5) [tr. George Long (1888)]. View quote
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. View quote
Epictetus
The soul that companies with virtue is like an ever-flowing source. It is a pure, clear, and wholesome draught, sweet, rich and generous of its store, that injures not, neither destroys. View quote
Epictetus
These reasonings are unconnected: "I am richer than you, therefore I am better"; "I am more eloquent than you, therefore I am better." The connection is rather this: "I am richer than you, therefore my property is greater than yours;" "I am more eloquent than you, therefore my style is better than yours." But you, after all, are neither property nor style. (44). (Epictetus)
"But to be hanged - is that not unendurable?" Even so, when a man feels that it is reasonable, he goes off and hangs himself. View quote
Epictetus
Any person capable of angering you becomes your master. View quote
Epictetus
God has entrusted me with myself. View quote
Epictetus
Of pleasures, those which occur most rarely give the most delight. View quote
Epictetus