Quotes By Epictetus

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.

The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.

No man is free who is not master of himself.

Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.

Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.

Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.

People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.

It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.

He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.

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?

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

It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

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

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

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.

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

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

God has entrusted me with myself.

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

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

You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.

If you wish to be a writer, write.

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

Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.

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

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