What is it to be a philosopher? Is it not to be prepared against events? Epictetus More Quotes by Epictetus More Quotes From Epictetus What is learned without pleasure is forgotten without remorse. Epictetus pleasurelearningforgotten A vulgar man, in any ill that happens to him, blames others; a novice in philosophy blames himself; and a philosopher blames neither, the one nor the other. Epictetus novicesmenphilosophy Were I a nightingale, I would act the part of a nightingale; were I a swan, the part of a swan. Epictetus nightingalesswans Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you and be silent. Epictetus silentcookingfood The cause of all human evils is the not being able to apply general principles to special cases. Epictetus principlesspecialevil Remember that you are but an actor, acting whatever part the Master has ordained. It may be short or it may be long. If he wishes you to represent a poor man, do so heartily; if a cripple, or a magistrate, or a private man, in each case act your part with honor. Epictetus honormenlong Contentment, as it is a short road and pleasant, has great delight and little trouble. Epictetus delightcontentmentlittles All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain. Epictetus philosophylyingreality It’s time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become. Epictetus extraordinary-personwisemotivational Fight against yourself, recover yourself to decency, to modesty, to freedom. And, in the first place, condemn your actions; but when you have condemned them, do not despair of yourself. For both ruin and recovery are from within. Epictetus recoveryfightingover-you At every occasion in your life, do not forget to commune with Epictetus communesprofitforget Ask yourself, "How are my thoughts, words and deeds affecting my friends, my spouse, my neighbour, my child, my employer, my subordinates, my fellow citizens?" Epictetus deedslifechildren To pay homage to beauty is to admire Nature; to admire Nature is to worship God Epictetus worshippayfall If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible. Epictetus invinciblevictorymean You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at various prices. This is why, when Florus was deliberating whether he should appear at Nero's shows, taking part in the performance himself, Agrippinus replied, 'Appear by all means.' And when Florus inquired, 'But why do not you appear?' he answered, 'Because I do not even consider the question.' Epictetus eyemenmean When you actively engage in gradually refining yourself, you retreat from your lazy ways of covering yourself or making excuses. Instead of feeling a persistent current of low-level shame, you move forward by using the creative possibilities of this moment, your current situation. Epictetus creativemoving-forwardfeelings Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to your ability to choose, unless that is your choice. Lameness is a hindrance to the leg, but not to your ability to choose. Say this to yourself with regard to everything that happens, then you will see such obstacles as hindrances to something else, but not to yourself. Epictetus bodychoicesresponsibility Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen. Epictetus humorattitudeinspirational When a youth was giving himself airs in the Theatre and saying, 'I am wise, for I have conversed with many wise men,' Epictetus replied, 'I too have conversed with many rich men, yet I am not rich!’. Epictetus wiseairmen If you wish to be a writer, write. Epictetus philosophicalwishwriting
