Epictetus Quotes

“Some things are in our control and others not.”

“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.”

“People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.”

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

“It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.”

“There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”

“Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.”

“You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.”

“To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.”

“Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.”

“Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.”

“Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.”

“No man is free who is not master of himself.”

“Only the educated are free.”

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”

“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.”

“Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.”

“Remember that you are an actor in a drama, of such a part as it may please the master to assign you. Your business is to act well the character assigned you.”

“Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them.”

“It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.”

“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”

“If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.”

“Practise yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and then proceed to greater.”

“Whatever you would make habitual, practise it.”

“Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.”