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
writing would-be reader
If you would be a reader, read; if a writer, write.
wine exercise dust
So you wish to conquer in the Olympic Games, my friend? And I, too... But first mark the conditions and the consequences. You will have to put yourself under discipline; to eat by rule, to avoid cakes and sweetmeats; to take exercise at the appointed hour whether you like it or not, in cold and heat; to abstain from cold drinks and wine at your will. Then, in the conflict itself you are likely enough to dislocate your wrist or twist your ankle, to swallow a great deal of dust, to be severely thrashed, and after all of these things, to be defeated.
men difficulty shows
Difficulty shows what men are.
party moving heaven
Concerning the Gods, there are those who deny the very existence of the Godhead; others say that it exists, but neither bestirs nor concerns itself not has forethought far anything. A third party attribute to it existence and forethought, but only for great and heavenly matters, not for anything that is on earth. A fourth party admit things on earth as well as in heaven, but only in general, and not with respect to each individual. A fifth, of whom were Ulysses and Socrates, are those that cry: -- I move not without Thy knowledge!
stupid choices wish
If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things. Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust yourself. For, it is difficult to both keep your faculty of choice in a state conformable to nature, and at the same time acquire external things. But while you are careful about the one, you must of necessity neglect the other
inspirational events happens
Events do not just happen, but arrive by appointment.
men rich rich-man
Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, �He who is content.
inspirational nature health
Nature hath given men one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.
wish events wells
Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.
death pain real
In a word, neither death, nor exile, nor pain, nor anything of this kind is the real cause of our doing or not doing any action, but our inward opinions and principles.
letting-go thinking may
When you let go of your attention for a little while, do not think you may recover it whenever you please.
self-esteem concern esteem
Don't regard what anyone says of you, for this, after all, is no concern of yours.
determination average people
A half-hearted spirit has no power. Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Average people enter into their endeavors headlong and without care.
live-life desire fulfillment
Freedom is secured not by the fulfillment of one's desires, but by the removal of desire.