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
disturbed men men-and-women views
Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them
views giving insulting
It is not he who gives abuse that affronts, but the view that we take of it as insulting; so that when one provokes you it is your own opinion which is provoking.
life views trying
Try not to react merely in the moment. Pull back from the situation. Take a wider view. Compose yourself.
men views mind
It is not events that disturb the minds of men, but the view they take of them.
hurt thinking views
Things themselves don't hurt or hinder us. Things simply are what they are. How we view these things is another matter.People think what they will think; it is of no concern to us.
fear men views
Men are not afraid of things, but of how they view them.
attitude views people
Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.
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.
believe educated education free ought people rather
We must not believe the many, who say that only free people ought to be educated, but we should rather believe the philosophers who say that only the educated are free
freedom philosophical liberty
Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.
communication philosophical speech
First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
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
adversity against antagonist cannot case difficulty god men remember rough
Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil.
comfort destiny fate god hand moved strict worst
A strict belief, fate is the worst kind of slavery; on the other hand there is comfort in the thought that God will be moved by our prayers.