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
ideas imagination duration
When the idea of any pleasure strikes your imagination, make a just computation between the duration of the pleasure and that of the repentance that is likely to follow it.
life philosophical insults-you
It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting.
silly reflection achievement
Be not diverted from your duty by any idle reflections the silly world may make upon you, for their censures are not in your power and should not be at all your concerns.
life education appreciation
Only the educated are free.
god exercise
He who exercises wisdom exercises the knowledge which is about God.
thank-you cheating brother
If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.
desire fleeting superficial
The flourishing life cannot be achieved until we moderate our desires and see how superficial and fleeting they are.
wise wisdom stupid
It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.
life hope niece
Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.
business philosophy thinking
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.
giving challenges deeds
Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble. It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now.
courage men difficulty
It is difficulties that show what men are.
wise men air
When a youth was giving himself airs in the Theatre and saying, 'I am wise, for I have conversed with many wise men,' Epictetus replied, 'I too have conversed with many rich men, yet I am not rich!’.
style connections eloquent
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.