Epictetus
Epictetus
Epictetuswas a Greek-speaking Stoic philosopher. He was born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia, and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in north-western Greece for the rest of his life. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses and Enchiridion...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPhilosopher
respect philosophy tolerance
The beginning of philosophy is the recognition of the conflict between opinions.
adversity thinking land
As it is pleasant to see the sea from the land, so it is pleasant for him who has escaped from troubles to think of them.
mind down-and principles
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.
men fancy alarms
What disturbs and alarms man are not the things, but his opinions and fancies about the things.
suffering legs conquer
I must die. I must be imprisoned. I must suffer exile. But must I die groaning? Must I whine as well? Can anyone hinder me from going into exile with a smile? The master threatens to chain me: what say you? Chain me? My leg you will chain--yes, but not my will--no, not even Zeus can conquer that.
attitude long doe
When one maintains his proper attitude in life, he does not long after externals.
knives freedom-of-speech blunt
We should not have either a blunt knife or a freedom of speech which is ill-managed.
progress blame remember
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.
life motivational happiness
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.
pain pleasure
Pain or pleasure? I say pleasure.
hands firsts introspection
Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.
two quality impossible
It is hard to combine and unite these two qualities, the carefulness of one who is affected by circumstances, and the intrepidity of one who heeds them not. But it is not impossible: else were happiness also impossible.
moving want philosopher
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.
philosophy men discovery
Here is the beginning of philosophy: a recognition of the conflicts between men, a search for their cause, a condemnation of mere opinion .. . and the discovery of a standard of judgement.