Quotes from Epictetus

Behold the birth of tragedy: when idiots come face to face with the vicissitudes of life.

33] Consider at what price you sell your integrity; but please, for God's sake, don't sell it cheap.

The possession of a particular talent is instinctively sensed by its owner; [31] so if any of you are so blessed you will be the first to know it. [32] It is true, however, that no bull reaches maturity in an instant, nor do men become heroes overnight. We must endure a winter training, and can't be dashing into situations for which we aren't yet prepared.

They are all just so many opportunities to justify your ways to man, by showing just how little circumstances amount to.

I must be exiled; but is there anything to keep me from going with a smile, calm and self-composed?

The true basis for being respected is to appear refined and modest.

why act the part of a Jew when you're Greek? [ 20] Don't you know why it is that a person is called a Jew, Syrian, or Egyptian? And when we see someone hesitating between two creeds, we're accustomed to say, 'He is no Jew, but is merely acting the part.' But when he assumes the frame of mind of one who has been baptized * and has made his choice, then he really is a Jew, and is called by that name.

In life our first job is this, to divide and distinguish things into two categories: externals that I cannot control, but the choices I make with regard to them I do control. Where will I find food and bad? In me, in my choices.

Getting rid of these, too, requires looking to God for help, trusting him alone, and submitting to his direction. [47] Then if you're not willing to do this – all tears and agitation – you will serve someone physically more powerful than you, and continue to look outside yourself for happiness, fated never to find it. And that is because you look for it in the wrong place, forgetting to look where it really lies.

I see good people dying of cold and hunger.' Well, don't you see wicked people dying of luxury, pride and excess?

Take example from the wrestling-masters. Has the boy fallen down? Get up, again, they say; wrestle again until you have made yourself strong. That's the sort of attitude you should have…For both ruin and salvation have their source within you.

When we are guests at a dinner party, we content ourselves with the food on offer; if anyone were to tell the host to put out fish or cake, he would seem rude. In real life, however, we ask the gods for what they do not give, and this though they have provided us with plenty.

Make the best use of what is in our power, and treat the rest in accordance with its nature.

Este es el origen del sufrimiento, querer algo y que no suceda

That's the kind of attitude you need to cultivate if you would be a philosopher, the sort of sentiments you should write down every day and put in practice.

Ask not that events should happen as you will, but let your will be that events should happen as they do, and you shall have peace.

The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going

If someone tried to take control of your body and make you a slave, you would fight for freedom. Yet, how easily you hand over your mind to anyone who insults you.

Throw him in jail.' What jail? The one he is in already, since he is there against his will; and if he is there against his will then he is imprisoned.

you have the power of patience to deal with your difficulties.

Instead of acting on impulse, take a step back—wait till the enchantment fades and you can see things as they are.

Don't demand or expect that events happen as you would want them too. Accept events as they actually happen. That way, peace is possible

What does it mean to be getting an education? It means learning to apply natural preconceptions to particular cases as nature prescribes, and distinguishing what is in our power from what is not.

Liberty is lost unless we despise those things which put the yoke upon our necks.