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
events happen instead life seek
Do not seek to have events happen as you want them to, but instead want them to happen as they do happen, and your life will go well
life hate men
In theory it is easy to convince an ignorant person; in actual life, men not only object to offer themselves to be convinced, but hate the man who has convinced them.
life play actors
Remember that you are in actor in a play of such a kind that the author chooses...For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part belongs to another.
life men trying
Try to enjoy the great festival of life with other men!
life thinking way
What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.
life children citizens
Ask yourself, "How are my thoughts, words and deeds affecting my friends, my spouse, my neighbour, my child, my employer, my subordinates, my fellow citizens?"
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!
good-life practice rewards
Living a good life leads to enduring happiness. Goodness in and of itself is the practice AND the reward.
life views trying
Try not to react merely in the moment. Pull back from the situation. Take a wider view. Compose yourself.
life prayer hands
Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers and incantations to rise, but shines forth and is welcomed by all: so thou also wait not for clapping of hands and shouts and praise to do thy duty; nay, do good of thine own accord, and thou wilt be loved like the Sun.
live-life desire fulfillment
Freedom is secured not by the fulfillment of one's desires, but by the removal of desire.
life children hands
Remember that you ought to behave in life as you would at a banquet. As something is being passed around it comes to you; stretch out your hand, take a portion of it politely. It passes on; do not detain it. Or it has not come to you yet; do not project your desire to meet it, but wait until it comes in front of you. So act toward children, so toward a wife, so toward office, so toward wealth.
life men thinking
Let no man think that he is loved by any who loveth none.