The cause of all human evils is the not being able to apply general principles to special cases. Epictetus More Quotes by Epictetus More Quotes From Epictetus Men are not worried by things, but by their ideas about things. When we meet with difficulties, become anxious or troubled, let us not blame others, but rather ourselves. That is: our ideas about things. Epictetus blamemenideas He is free who lives as he wishes to live; who is neither subject to compulsion nor to hindrance, nor to force; whose movements to action are not impeded, whose desires attain their purpose, and who does not fall into that which he would avoid. Epictetus wishdesirefall Silence is safer than speech. Epictetus speechsilencequiet It is difficulties that show what men are. Epictetus couragemenlife Men are not afraid of things, but of how they view them. Epictetus viewsfearmen Every habit and faculty is preserved and increased by correspondent actions, as the habit of walking, by walking; of running, by running. Epictetus habitactionrunning Learn to distinguish what you can and can't control. Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, desires and the things that repel us. They are directly subject to our influence. Epictetus opiniondesirelife All human beings seek the happy life, but many confuse the means - for example, wealth and status - with that life itself. This misguided focus on the means to a good life makes people get further from the happy life. The really worthwhile things are the virtuous activities that make up the happy life, not the external means that may seem to produce it. Epictetus motivationalhappinesslife Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Epictetus pay-the-pricevolunteercharacter Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble. It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now. Epictetus deedschallengesgiving When the Idea, of any Pleasure strikes your Imagination... let that time be employed in making a just Computation between, the duration of the Pleasure, and that of the Repentance sure to follow it. Epictetus durationimaginationideas Men are not troubled by things themselves, but by their thoughts about them Epictetus inspirationmenlife We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them. Epictetus inspirationspiritualattitude Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire. Epictetus philosophicaldisciplinemilitary No great thing is created suddenly. Epictetus philosophicalperseveranceinspirational-life No man is able to make progress when he is wavering between opposite things. Epictetus progressoppositesmen Law intends indeed to do service to human life, but it is not able when men do not choose to accept her services; for it is only in those who are obedient to her that she displays her special virtue. Epictetus speciallawmen It is impossible that happiness, and yearning for what is not present, should ever be united. Epictetus wisdomshouldimpossible If what charms you is nothing but abstract principles, sit down and turn them over quietly in your mind: but never dub yourself a Philosopher. Epictetus down-andprinciplesmind To live a life of virtue, match up your thoughts, words, and deeds. Epictetus virtuedeeds
