Epictetus Quotes | Quotesoup

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.

By Epictetus

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

By Epictetus

We have two ears and one mouth so we may listen more and talk the less.

By Epictetus

To a reasonable creature, that alone is insupportable which is unreasonable but everything reasonable may be supported.

By Epictetus

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

By Epictetus

There are some things which men confess with ease, and others with difficulty.

By Epictetus

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

By Epictetus

The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.

By Epictetus

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

By Epictetus

Tell me where I can escape death: discover for me the country, show me the men to whom I must go, whom death does not visit. Discover to me a charm against death. If I have not one, what do you wish me to do? I cannot escape from death, but shall I die lamenting and trembling? . . . Therefore if I am able to change externals according to my wish, I change them: but if I cannot, I am ready to tear the eyes out of him who hinders me.

By Epictetus

Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.

By Epictetus

Reason is not measured by size or height, but by principle.

By Epictetus

Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you, and be silent.

By Epictetus

Practise yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things and thence proceed to greater.

By Epictetus

No man is free who is not master of himself.

By Epictetus

No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.

By Epictetus

Man is troubled not by events, but by the meaning he gives them.

By Epictetus

Know, first, who you are and then adorn yourself accordingly.

By Epictetus

Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.

By Epictetus

It is the action of an uninstructed person to reproach others for his own misfortune; of one entering instruction, to reproach himself; and one perfectly instructed, to reproach neither others nor himself.

By Epictetus

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.

By Epictetus

In every affair consider what precedes and what follows, and then undertake it.

By Epictetus

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

By Epictetus

If you would cure anger, do not feed it. Say to yourself 'I used to be angry every day then every other day now only every third or fourth day.' When you reach thirty days offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the gods.

By Epictetus

If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit give it nothing which may tend to its increase.

By Epictetus

If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase.

By Epictetus

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

By Epictetus

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

By Epictetus

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

By Epictetus

Everything has two handles,--one by which it may be borne another by which it cannot.

By Epictetus