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
freedom greek-philosopher
Freedom is the right to live as we wish.
freedom philosophical liberty
Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.
freedom men restraint
What is it that every man seeks? To be secure, to be happy, to do what he pleases without restraint and without compulsion.
knives freedom-of-speech blunt
We should not have either a blunt knife or a freedom of speech which is ill-managed.
freedom names vices
Freedom and slavery, the one is the name of virtue, and the other of vice, and both are acts of the will.
life lying freedom-and-happiness
Freedom and happiness are won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.
greek-philosopher men
Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.
man religion
All religions must be tolerated... for every man must get to heaven in his own way.
disturbed men opinion opinions
Men are disturbed not by things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
disturbed men men-and-women views
Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them
ears gave hear listening nature tongue twice
Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.
honour price steal worth
I have a lantern. You steal my lantern. What, then, is your honour worth no more to you than the price of my lantern?
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.
communication philosophical speech
First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.