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
soul use dread
We all dread a bodily paralysis, and would make use of every contrivance to avoid it; but none of us is troubled about a paralysis of the soul.
scary mask bites
What is death? A scary mask. Take it off-see, it doesn't bite.
forgiveness blood grace
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
knowledge wish trust-yourself
If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and if you shall seem to someone to be a person of importance, distrust yourself.
grateful humble mind
Any one thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence to a humble and grateful mind.
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.
changed knows
Have the wisdom to know what cannot be changed, and the strength to change what can.
faults principles blame
When therefore we are hindered, or disturbed, or grieved, let us never attribute it to others, but to ourselves; that is, to our own principles. An uninstructed person will lay the fault of his own bad condition upon others. Someone just starting instruction will lay the fault on himself. Some who is perfectly instructed will place blame neither on others nor on himself.
anxiety sorrow states
No one who is in a state of fear or sorrow or tension is free, but whosoever is delivered from sorrows or fears or anxieties is at the same time delivered from servitude.
friends adversity prosperity
In prosperity it is very easy to find a friend; but in adversity it is the most difficult of all things.
merit given concerned
You have been given your own work to do. Get to it right now, do your best at it, and don't be concerned with who is watching you. Create your own merit.
insulting firsts characteristics
It was the first and most striking characteristic of Socrates never to become heated in discourse, never to utter an injurious or insulting word -- on the contrary, he persistently bore insult from others and thus put an end to the fray.
essence evil certain
The essence of good and evil is a certain disposition of the will.
writing wish needs
If you can make music with someone you don't need words. If you wish to be a writer, write.