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
sorrow wish doe
The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that does not come to pass.
men giving events
Man is troubled not by events, but by the meaning he gives them.
inspirational wisdom disturbed
We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.
philosophy humility ignorant
If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.
giving challenges deeds
Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble. It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now.
god exercise
He who exercises wisdom exercises the knowledge which is about God.
fall desire liberty
He is free who lives as he wishes to live; who is neither subject to compulsion nor to hindrance, nor to force; whose movements to action are not impeded, whose desires attain their purpose, and who does not fall into that which he would avoid.
wise men mind
Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be; or they neither are, nor appear to be; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task.
fear men views
Men are not afraid of things, but of how they view them.
wise patience philosophical
The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.
character pay-the-price volunteer
Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths.
perception spirituality circumstances
We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.
food cooking silent
Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you and be silent.
life philosophical soul
You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.