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
inspirational humor men
Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
drinking exercise mind
It is the sign of a dull mind to dwell upon the cares of the body, to prolong exercise, eating and drinking and other bodily functions. These things are best done by the way; all your attention must be given to the mind.
men law special
Law intends indeed to do service to human life, but it is not able when men do not choose to accept her services; for it is only in those who are obedient to her that she displays her special virtue.
life wish demand
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.
depressing pain
It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.
learning forgotten pleasure
What is learned without pleasure is forgotten without remorse.
giving be-kind kind
No great thing is created suddenly. There must be time. Give your best and always be kind.
inspiring attitude events
It is our attitude toward events, not events themselves, which we can control. Nothing is by its own nature calamitous -- even death is terrible only if we fear it.
mean men errors
Is freedom anything else than the power of living as we choose? Nothing else. Tell me then, you men, do you wish to live in error? We do not. No one who lives in error is free. Do you wish to live in fear? Do you wish to live in sorrow? Do you wish to live in tension? By no means. No one who is in a state of fear or sorrow or tension is free, but whoever is delivered from sorrows or fears or anxieties, he is at the same time also delivered from servitude.
wish doe should
Learn to wish that everything should come to pass exactly as it does.
honesty pursuit-of-happiness people
The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
happy-birthday loss anxiety
If anyone is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault... Nothing else is the cause of anxiety or loss of tranquility except our own opinion.
mind viewpoints body
It is not the events but our viewpoint toward events that is the determining factor. We ought to be more concerned about removing wrong thoughts from the mind than removing tumors and abscesses from the body.
philosophical eyeglasses drunk
He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.