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
wicked enmity ought
We ought to flee the friendship of the wicked, and the enmity of the good.
mean
To be getting an education means this: to be learning what is your own, and what is not your own.
thinking misery mood
Do nothing in a depressed mood, nor as one afflicted, nor as thinking that you are in misery, for no one compels you to that.
motivational giving finding-yourself
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.
wisdom fun practice
From now on practice saying to everything that appears unpleasant: You are merely an appearance and NOT what you appear to be.
motivational giving inner-peace
Inner peace begins when we stop saying of things, 'I have lost it' and instead say, 'It has been returned to where it came from.' Why should it be any concern of yours who gives your things back to the world that gave them to you? The important thing is to take great care with what you have while the world lets you have it.
freedom names vices
Freedom and slavery, the one is the name of virtue, and the other of vice, and both are acts of the will.
speech meat drink
Let thy speech of God be renewed day by day, aye, rather than thy meat and drink.
heart rose crowns
If your heart is quite set upon a crown, make and put on one of roses, for it will make the prettier appearance.
death evil use
Against specious appearances we must set clear convictions, bright and ready for use. When death appears as an evil, we ought immediately to remember that evils are things to be avoided, but death is inevitable.
independent practice indifference
Authentic happiness is always independent of external conditions. Vigilantly practice polite indifference to that which we can't control. Your happiness can only be found within.
fighting understanding limits
Freedom isn't the right or ability to do whatever you please. Freedom comes from understanding the limits of our own power and the inherent limits set in place by nature. By accepting life's limits and inevitabilities and working with them rather than fighting them, you become truly free.
truth mean victory
If you seek Truth, you will not seek to gain a victory by every possible means; and when you have found Truth, you need not fear being defeated.
grief men animal
Be free from grief not through insensibility like the irrational animals, nor through want of thought like the foolish, but like a man of virtue by having reason as the consolation of grief.