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
helping best-place
The best place to get help is from yourself.
recovery fighting over-you
Fight against yourself, recover yourself to decency, to modesty, to freedom. And, in the first place, condemn your actions; but when you have condemned them, do not despair of yourself. For both ruin and recovery are from within.
desire disappointing
To get or not to get what we desire can be equally disappointing.
suffering thyself
What thou avoidest suffering thyself seek not to impose on others.
writing wish ifs
If you wish to write, write.
ignorant birth goddess
You are a principal work, a fragment of [Goddess herself], you have in yourself a part of [her]. Why then are you ignorant of your high birth?
swans roles praise
If I was a nightingale I would sing like a nightingale; if a swan, like a swan. But since I am a rational creature my role is to praise God.
wicked enmity ought
We ought to flee the friendship of the wicked, and the enmity of the good.
honor
Act your part with honor.
fighting men games
Neither the victories of the Olympic Games nor those achieved in battles make the man happy. The only victories that make him happy are those achieved against himself. Temptations and tests are combats. You have beaten one, two, many times; still fight. If you defeat at last you will be happy your entire life, as if you have always defeated.
desire together
Desire and happiness cannot live together.
happiness troublesome
Happiness is an equivalent for all troublesome things.
events providence
We are not to lead events, but to follow them.
justice safe
Every place is safe to him who lives with justice.