Famous Quotes & Sayings

Epictetus

Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers and incantations to rise, but shines forth and is welcomed by all: so thou also wait not for clapping of hands and shouts and praise to do thy duty; nay, do good of thine own accord, and thou wilt be loved like the Sun.

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.

Epictetus

Let no man think that he is loved by any who loveth none.

Epicurus

A free life cannot acquire many possessions, because this is not easy to do without servility to mobs or monarchs.

Epicurus

It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and well and justly. And it is impossible to live wisely and well and justly without living a pleasant life.

Epicurus

Pleasure is the beginning and the end of living happily.

Epicurus

Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship.

Epictetus

When we name things correctly, we comprehend them correctly, without adding information or judgements that aren't there. Does someone bathe quickly? Don't say be bathes poorly, but quickly. Name the situation as it is, don't filter it through your judgments. Give your assent only to that which is actually true.

Epictetus

Learn to distinguish what you can and can't control. Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, desires and the things that repel us. They are directly subject to our influence.

Epictetus

We do not choose our own parts in life, and have nothing to do with those parts. Our duty is confined to playing them well.

Epictetus

All human beings seek the happy life, but many confuse the means - for example, wealth and status - with that life itself. This misguided focus on the means to a good life makes people get further from the happy life. The really worthwhile things are the virtuous activities that make up the happy life, not the external means that may seem to produce it.

Epictetus

Survey and test a prospective action before undertaking it. Before you proceed, step back and look at the big picture, lest you act rashly on raw impulse.

Epictetus

As you think, so you become.....Our busy minds are forever jumping to conclusions, manufacturing and interpreting signs that aren't there.

Epictetus

Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. Once you have determined the spiritual principles you wish to exemplify, abide by these rules as if they were laws, as if it were indeed sinful to compromise them. Don't mind if others don't share your convictions. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer.

Epictetus

No greater thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.

Epictetus

You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.

Epictetus

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

Epictetus

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

Epictetus

Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.

Epictetus

Only the educated are free.

Epictetus

Don't demand or expect that events happen as you would wish them do. Accept events as they actually happen. That way, peace is possible.

Epictetus

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.

Epictetus

No matter where you find yourself, comport yourself as if you were a distinguished person.

Epictetus

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

Epictetus

When something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it; you can either accept it or resent it.

Epictetus

What is a good person? One who achieves tranquillity by having formed the habit of asking on every occasion, "what is the right thing to do now?"

Epictetus

Freedom and happiness are won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.

Emily Bronte

Any relic of the dead is precious, if they were valued living.

Emily Bronte

I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!

Emily Bronte

If I had caused the cloud, it was my duty to make an effort to dispel it.

Emily Giffin

What appeals to you the most is the very thing that will drive you crazy

Emily Giffin

But I have learned that you make your own happiness, that part of going for what you want means losing something else. And when the stakes are high, the losses can be that much greater.

Emily Dickinson

I cannot live with you, It would be life, And life is over there Behind the shelf