Epictetus Quotes

If you wish to be a writer, write.

Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.

If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.

Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them.

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.

People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.

To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.

Only the educated are free.

All religions must be tolerated... for every man must get to heaven in his own way.

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.

It takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it.

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.

Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.