Quotes By Epictetus

The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.

Never in any case say I have lost such a thing, but I have returned it. Is your child dead? It is a return. Is your wife dead? It is a return. Are you deprived of your estate? Is not this also a return?

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

God has entrusted me with myself.

Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.

No greater thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.

It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting.

It takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it.

You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.

If you wish to be a writer, write.

If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.

Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.

Control thy passions lest they take vengence on thee.

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.

Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them.

Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig. I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.

There is nothing good or evil save in the will.

You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.

Freedom is the right to live as we wish.

The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.

Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.

Silence is safer than speech.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.