Epictetus Quotes

• Silence is safer than speech.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Silence

• One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Themselves, Excellent

• Not every difficult and dangerous thing is suitable for training, but only that which is conducive to success in achieving the object of our effort.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Success

  Tags in Training

• No man is free who is not master of himself.

  Epictetus

• No greater 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

• Never in any case say I have lost such a thing, but I have returned it. Is your child dead? It is a return. Is your wife dead? It is a return. Are you deprived of your estate? Is not this also a return?

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Critical, Thing

• Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Life

  Tags in Hope

• Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Men

• Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Adorn, Yourself

• Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Silence

• It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Happens, Matters

• It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Insult

  Tags in Opinion, Insulting

• It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Death

  Tags in Pain

• It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Impossible

• Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Freedom

• If you wish to be a writer, write.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Writer, Writing

• If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Yourself, Improve

• If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Truth, Victory

• If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.

  Epictetus

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Desire

• If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always an approach toward it.

  Epictetus

Epictetus (74)

Nationality:	Greek
Profession:	Philosopher

About

Epictetus was born in Hierapolis, Phrygia. He was a Greek speaking Stoic philosopher. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses. He taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline.

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