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
power conquer invincible
You can be invincible, if you enter into no contest in which it is not in your power to conquer.
lying stupid men
If we are not stupid or insincere when we say that the good or ill of man lies within his own will, and that all beside is nothing to us, why are we still troubled?
two evil principles
Two principles we should always have ready — that there is nothing good or evil save in the will; and that we are not to lead events, but to follow them.
may unreasonable creatures
To a reasonable creature, that alone is insupportable which is unreasonable; but everything reasonable may be supported.
height size principles
Reason is not measured by size or height, but by principle.
littles use foolish
The foolish and the uneducated have little use for freedom. Only the educated are free.
envy antagonist fortunate
Envy is the antagonist of the fortunate.
believe wish firsts
If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.
adversity thinking land
As it is pleasant to see the sea from the land, so it is pleasant for him who has escaped from troubles to think of them.
mind down-and principles
If what charms you is nothing but abstract principles, sit down and turn them over quietly in your mind: but never dub yourself a Philosopher.
men fancy alarms
What disturbs and alarms man are not the things, but his opinions and fancies about the things.
suffering legs conquer
I must die. I must be imprisoned. I must suffer exile. But must I die groaning? Must I whine as well? Can anyone hinder me from going into exile with a smile? The master threatens to chain me: what say you? Chain me? My leg you will chain--yes, but not my will--no, not even Zeus can conquer that.
attitude long doe
When one maintains his proper attitude in life, he does not long after externals.
knives freedom-of-speech blunt
We should not have either a blunt knife or a freedom of speech which is ill-managed.