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
abstain appointed avoid cakes cold conditions conflict conquer deal drinks eat exercise fine great hour itself likely mark olympic sports swallow trainer twist whether wine wish wrist
So you wish to conquer in the Olympic games, my friend? And I too, by the Gods, and a fine thing it would be! But first mark the conditions and the consequences, and then set to work. 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 no, in cold and heat; to abstain from cold drinks and from wine at your will; in a word, to give yourself over to the trainer as to a physician. Then in the conflict itself you are likely enough to dislocate your wrist or twist your ankle, to swallow a great deal of dust, or to be severely thrashed, and, after all these things, to be defeated.
vices speak accusation
If someone speaks badly of you, do not defend yourself against the accusations, but reply; "you obviously don't know about my other vices, otherwise you would have mentioned these as well
fitness heart soul
It takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it.
excellence
Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own
contentment delight littles
Contentment, as it is a short road and pleasant, has great delight and little trouble.
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.
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.
shapes reason disorder
Since it is Reason which shapes and regulates all other things, it ought not itself to be left in disorder.
evident
Things true and evident must of necessity be recognized by those who would contradict them.
purple complaining slave
If you see anybody wail and complain, call him a slave, though he be clad in purple.
learning giving credit
We are not to give credit to the many, who say that none ought to be educated but the free; but rather to the philosophers, who say that the well-educated alone are free.
singers harmony praise
Bid a singer in a chorus, Know Thyself; and will he not turn for the knowledge to the others, his fellows in the chorus, and to his harmony with them?
whatever-happens happens manage
It is my business, to manage carefully and dexterously whatever happens