We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them. Epictetus More Quotes by Epictetus More Quotes From Epictetus Don't be concerned with other people's impressions of you. They are dazzled and deluded by appearances. Stick with your purpose. This alone will strengthen your will and give your life coherence. Epictetus purposegivingpeople When something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it. It is not the things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance. Things and people are not what we wish them to be nor are they what they seem to be. They are what they are. Epictetus wishattitudepeople Any person capable of angering you becomes your master. Epictetus emotionalangermasters Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible. Epictetus effectivenessunderstandingprinciples It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows. Epictetus changeinspiringinspirational Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly. Epictetus philosophicallaughing Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact. We inadvertently adopt their interests, their opinions, their values, and their habit of interpreting events. Epictetus opinioneventsmotivational I have to die. If it is now, well then I die now; if later, then now I will take my lunch, since the hour for lunch has arrived - and dying I will tend to later. Epictetus hourslunchdying Progress is not achieved by luck or accident, but by working on yourself daily. Epictetus working-on-yourselfprogressluck It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. Epictetus moving-onattitudehappiness You become what you give your attention to...If you yourself don't choose what thoughts and images you expose yourself to, someone else will, and their motives may not be the highest. Epictetus mayattentiongiving If someone speaks badly of you, do not defend yourself against the accusations, but reply; "you obviously don't know about my other vices, otherwise you would have mentioned these as well Epictetus accusationvicesspeak Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. Once you have determined the spiritual principles you wish to exemplify, abide by these rules as if they were laws, as if it were indeed sinful to compromise them. Don't mind if others don't share your convictions. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Epictetus selfspirituallife When we blather about trivial things, we ourselves become trivial, for our attention gets taken up with trivialities. You become what you give your attention to. Epictetus takenattentiongiving Every difficulty in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and to invoke our own submerged inner resources. The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths. Epictetus inwardtrialsopportunity Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems Epictetus anxietyrealmen From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do -- now. Epictetus vowdisappointingneeds Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control. Stop aspiring to be anyone other than your own best self: for that does fall within your control. Epictetus selflyingfall The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Epictetus honestytruthhappiness First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. Epictetus motivationalinspirationallife
