Whoever is going to listen to the philosophers needs a considerable practice in listening. Epictetus More Quotes by Epictetus More Quotes From Epictetus Books are the training weights of the mind. Epictetus trainingmindbook Unremarkable lives are marked by the fear of not looking capable when trying something new. Epictetus trying-something-newmotivationalinspirational If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid. Epictetus stupidsillylife It's so simple really: If you say you're going to do something, do it. If you start something, finish it. Epictetus consistencysimpleifs And be silent for the most part, or else make only the most necessary remarks, and express these in few words. But rarely, and when occasion requires you to talk, talk, indeed, but about no ordinary topics. Do not talk about gladiators, or horseraces, or athletes, or things to eat or drink - topics that arise on all occasions; but above all, do not talk about people, either blaming, or praising, or comparing them. Epictetus communicationathletepeople Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours. Epictetus envyjealousylife To make anything a habit, do it; to not make it a habit, do not do it; to unmake a habit, do something else in place of it. Epictetus habit As you think, so you become.....Our busy minds are forever jumping to conclusions, manufacturing and interpreting signs that aren't there. Epictetus jumpinglifethinking Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly. Epictetus philosophicalsilencequiet If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it. Epictetus true-friendlovelying No great thing is created suddenly. There must be time. Give your best and always be kind. Epictetus be-kindkindgiving In trying to please other people, we find ourselves misdirected toward what lies outside our sphere of influence. In doing so, we lose our hold on our lifes purpose. Epictetus tryinglyingpeople The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best. Epictetus upliftingbest-friendfriendship It was the first and most striking characteristic of Socrates never to become heated in discourse, never to utter an injurious or insulting word -- on the contrary, he persistently bore insult from others and thus put an end to the fray. Epictetus characteristicsinsultingfirsts Freedom and happiness are won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control. Epictetus freedom-and-happinesslifelying It is not he who gives abuse that affronts, but the view that we take of it as insulting; so that when one provokes you it is your own opinion which is provoking. Epictetus insultingviewsgiving Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant. Epictetus fathers-dayteachingteacher Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, and desires and the demons that distract us from these goals. Outside of our control are such things as what kind of body we have, whether or not we are born into wealth, and how we are regarded by others. Epictetus bodygoaldesire These are the signs of a wise man: to reprove nobody, to praise nobody, to blame nobody, nor even to speak of himself or his own merits. Epictetus wisdomwisemen You can be happy if you know this secret: Some things are within your power to control and some things are not. Epictetus secretknowsjoy
