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
effectiveness understanding fundamentals
Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.
merit triumph concerned
Don't be concerned who is watching you. The triumphs and merits of others belong to them - as do yours to you. Make the most of what you've got.
ruins recovering
Ruin and recovering are both from within.
events opinion habit
Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact. We inadvertently adopt their interests, their opinions, their values, and their habit of interpreting events.
swans nightingales
Were I a nightingale, I would act the part of a nightingale; were I a swan, the part of a swan.
sorrow wish doe
The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that does not come to pass.
unendurable irrational rational
To the rational being only the irrational is unendurable, but the rational is endurable.
self-improvement improvement
God has entrusted me with myself.
safety use aviation
On the occasion of every accident that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use.
positive-thinking power-of-positive-thinking
Nothing truly stops you. Nothing truly holds you back. For your own will is always within your control.
kindness
Seek not good from without; seek it within yourselves, or you will never find it.
forget profit communes
At every occasion in your life, do not forget to commune with yourself and ask of yourself how you can profit by it.
learning forgotten pleasure
What is learned without pleasure is forgotten without remorse.
wish flow strive
Do not strive for things occurring to occur as you wish, but wish the things occurring as they occur, and you will flow well.