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
mean men errors
Is freedom anything else than the power of living as we choose? Nothing else. Tell me then, you men, do you wish to live in error? We do not. No one who lives in error is free. Do you wish to live in fear? Do you wish to live in sorrow? Do you wish to live in tension? By no means. No one who is in a state of fear or sorrow or tension is free, but whoever is delivered from sorrows or fears or anxieties, he is at the same time also delivered from servitude.
wish doe should
Learn to wish that everything should come to pass exactly as it does.
honesty pursuit-of-happiness people
The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
happy-birthday loss anxiety
If anyone is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault... Nothing else is the cause of anxiety or loss of tranquility except our own opinion.
mind viewpoints body
It is not the events but our viewpoint toward events that is the determining factor. We ought to be more concerned about removing wrong thoughts from the mind than removing tumors and abscesses from the body.
philosophical eyeglasses drunk
He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.
thinking doe remember
When any person treats you ill or speaks ill of you, remember that he does this or says this because he thinks it is his duty. It is not possible, then, for him to follow that which seems right to you, but that which seems right to himself.
philosophical practice discipline
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.
entertainment philosopher remember
Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don't talk how persons ought to eat, but eat as you ought. For remember that in this manner Socrates also universally avoided all ostentation.
inspirational positive attitude
People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.
children leader parent
Our duties naturally emerge form such fundamental relations as our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, our state or nation. Make it your regular habit to consider your roles-parent, child, neighbor, citizen, leader-and the natural duties that arise from them. Once you know who you are and to whom you are linked, you will know what to do.
philosophical libertarian moderation
If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.
philosophical difficulty shows
Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.
motivational philosophical responsibility
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.