Quotes from Epictetus

If you have nothing better to do than praise me for it, then my speech was a failure.

endurance of labour, and to want little, and to work with my own hands, and not to meddle with other people's affairs, and not to be ready to listen to slander.

Continually remind yourself that you are a mortal being, and someday will die. This will inspire you not to waste precious time in fruitless activities, like stewing over grievances and striving after possessions.

Nothing great is created in a flash.

Every challenge is presented to you so that you will choose love and turn away from negativity and blame.

Continually remind yourself that you are a mortal being, and someday will die.

If you want to be respected, start by respecting yourself.

that you never be unfortunate or unhappy, but free, unrestricted and unrestrained; in sympathy with God's rule, which you submit to cheerfully; at odds with no one, no one's accuser; able in all sincerity to speak Cleanthes' line: 'Lead me, Zeus, lead me, Destiny.

No digo que no te esté permitido quejarte, sino que no te quejes por dentro

A boxer derives the greatest advantage from his sparring partner – and my accuser is my sparring partner. He trains me in patience, civility and even temper.

O senhor de si mesmo é aquele que possui o poder de conservar ou repelir as coisas desejadas ou não desejadas.

which would you rather have—money to share with others, or loyal and honest friends?

I have a bad neighbour – bad, that is, for himself. For me, though, he is good: he exercises my powers of fairness and sociability.

For what else is tragedy than the perturbations ([Greek: pathae]) of men who value externals exhibited in this kind of poetry?

Wisdom's seat is higher; she trains not the hands, but is mistress of our minds.

Por esto la mayor y primera tarea del filósofo es poner a prueba las representaciones y juzgarlas y no aceptar ninguna sin haberla puesto a prueba

If a man, said Epictetus, opposes evident truths, it is not easy to find arguments by which we shall make him change his opinion. But this does not arise either from the man's strength or the teacher's weakness; for when the man, though he has been confuted, is hardened like a stone, how shall we then be able to deal with him by argument?

No person is free who is not master of themselves.

For my part, I can say, 'bring what challenge you please and I will turn it to good account: bring illness, death, poverty, slander, a judgement of death: they will all be converted to advantage by my wand of Hermes.

Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don't talk how persons ought to eat, but eat as you ought.

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

Do not say of anything "I have lost it," but rather, "I have given it back.

Working within our sphere of control, we are naturally free, independent, and strong. Beyond that sphere, we are weak, limited, and dependent.

Stoicism doesn't mean repressing emotion and shunning pleasure, I learned, but, in essence, focusing on what is within our power and letting go of everything we can't control.