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
life worry events
Ask yourself: Does this appearance (of events) concern the things that are within my own control or those that are not? If it concerns anything outside your control, train yourself not to worry about it.
life thinking bigger
Consider the bigger picture.....think things through and fully commit!
business character men
Remember that you are an actor in a play, and that the Playwright chooses the manner of it: If he wants you to act a poor man you must act the part with all your powers; and so if your part be a cripple or a magistrate or a plain man. For your business is to act the character that is given you and act it well. The choice of the cast is Another's.
time drinking mean
It is a mark of a mean capacity to spend much time on the things which concern the body, such as much exercise, much eating, much drinking, much easing of the body, much copulation. But these things should be done as subordinate things: and let all your care be directed to the mind.
inspirational choices conviction
It is your own convictions which compels you; that is, choice compels choice.
ignorant attention stranger
Avoid banquets which are given by strangers an ignorant persons. But if there is ever occasion to join them, let your attention be carefully fixed, that you slip not into the manner of the vulgar (the uninstructed).
sweet soul rich
The soul that companies with virtue is like an ever-flowing source. It is a pure, clear, and wholesome draught, sweet, rich and generous of its store, that injures not, neither destroys.
confidence caution
Confident because of our caution
confidence creative requirements
Confidence in nonsense is a requirement for the creative process.
exercise evil decision
Shall I show you the sinews of a philosopher? What sinews are those? - A will undisappointed; evils avoided; powers daily exercised; careful resolutions; unerring decisions.
gratitude men opinion
No man is disturbed by things, but by his opinion about things.
mean aging
To a longer and worse life, a shorter and better is by all means to be preferred.
greatness order focus
We all carry the seeds of greatness within us, but we need an image as a point of focus in order that they may sprout.
character men lovers
To adorn our characters by the charm of an amiable nature shows at once a lover of beauty and a lover of man.