It takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it. Epictetus More Quotes by Epictetus More Quotes From Epictetus We are not to lead events, but to follow them. Epictetus providence events You are a principal work, a fragment of [Goddess herself], you have in yourself a part of [her]. Why then are you ignorant of your high birth? Epictetus goddess ignorant birth No man is disturbed by things, but by his opinion about things. Epictetus gratitude opinion men Think of God oftener than you breathe. Epictetus breathe god thinking He who is not happy with little will never be happy with much. Epictetus not-happy littles It is better by assenting to truth to conquer opinion, than by assenting to opinion to be conquered by truth. Epictetus conquer opinion truth Control thy passions, lest they take vengeance on thee. Epictetus Practise yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things and thence proceed to greater. Epictetus 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. Epictetus A child understands fear, and the hurt and hate it brings. Epictetus A wise man is he who does not grieve for the thing which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. Epictetus Any one thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence to an humble and grateful mind. Epictetus Difficulties are things that show what men are. Epictetus Let death be daily before your eyes, and you will never entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet anything. Epictetus Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak. 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. Epictetus So you wish to conquer in the Olympic games, my friend? And I too, by the Gods, and a fine thing it would be! But first mark the conditions and the consequences, and then set to work. You will have to put yourself under discipline; to eat by rule, to avoid cakes and sweetmeats; to take exercise at the appointed hour whether you like it or no, in cold and heat; to abstain from cold drinks and from wine at your will; in a word, to give yourself over to the trainer as to a physician. Then in the conflict itself you are likely enough to dislocate your wrist or twist your ankle, to swallow a great deal of dust, or to be severely thrashed, and, after all these things, to be defeated. 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. Epictetus The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forebearing. Epictetus We have two ears and one mouth so we may listen more and talk the less. Epictetus
