Quotes by Epictetus

We all dread a bodily paralysis, and would make use of every contrivance to avoid it; but none of us is troubled about a paralysis of the soul.

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Happiness

Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.

— Epictetus

Freedom

We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope.

— Epictetus

Hope

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Love

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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.

— Epictetus

Hope

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

— Epictetus

Truth

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Happiness

Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.

— Epictetus

Hope

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

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

— Epictetus

Wisdom

Only the educated are free.

— Epictetus

Wisdom

If you wish to be a writer, write.

— Epictetus

Wisdom

The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.

— Epictetus

Wisdom