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
act assign choose destiny indeed master ours please poor private remember time
Remember that you are an actor in a drama, of such a part as it may please the master to assign you, for a long time or for a little as he may choose. And if he will you to take the part of a poor man, or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen, then may you act that part with grace! For to act well the part that is allotted to us, that indeed is ours to do, but to choose it is another s.
wise what-matters care
What matters most is what sort of person you are becoming. Wise individuals care only about whom they are today and who they can be tomorrow.
character reality thinking
Embrace reality. Think about what delights you - the small luxuries on which you depend, the people whom you cherish most. But remember that they have their own distinct character, which is quite a separate matter from how we happen to regard them.
love-you self ideas
Never depend on the admiration of others for self-satisfaction. It is a fact of life that other people, even people who love you, will not necessarily agree with your ideas, understand you always, or share your enthusiasms.
integrity worry effort
When your thoughts, words, and deeds form a seamless fabric, you streamline your efforts and thus eliminate worry and dread.
philosophical writing men
When a man is proud because he can understand and explain the writings of Chrysippus, say to yourself, 'if Chrysippus had not written obscurely, this man would have had nothing to be proud of.'
cities brotherhood beloved
The universe is but one great city, full of beloved ones, divine and human, by nature endeared to each other.
philosophical laughing
Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.
love men humans
A man that seeks truth and loves it must be reckoned precious to any human society.
wise extraordinary-person wish
It’s time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become.
appearance
You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be.
exercise effort outcomes
Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcome.
views giving insulting
It is not he who gives abuse that affronts, but the view that we take of it as insulting; so that when one provokes you it is your own opinion which is provoking.
forgiveness blood grace
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.