Quotes from Epictetus

Stoicism was founded in the third century BC by Zeno of Citium; Cleanthes succeeded him as head of the school. But it was Cleanthes' successor, Chrysippus (d. 208 BC), who contributed most to the development of Stoic doctrine and deserves most of the credit for what Stoicism eventually became – the dominant philosophy of the post-classical era.

Act in this way regarding spouses, children, honors, offices, and wealth, and you will become worthy to feast with the gods. More than this—if you abstain from the rich desserts that come your way, passing them on to others, you will become worthy to rule with the gods. This was the way of Diogenes and Heraclitus, and they are now venerated as divine.

For when you have subjected to externals what is your own, then be a slave and do not resist, and do not sometimes choose to be a slave, and sometimes not choose, but with all your mind be one or the other.

In this body, this universe, this community, it is inevitable that each of us faces some such event. [28] Your job, then, is to appear before the court, say what you have to say and make the best of the situation. [29] Then the judge declares you guilty. 'I wish you well, judge. I did my part, you can decide if you did yours.' Because the judge runs a risk too, don't forget.

Remind yourself, "What upsets this person is their opinion of what has happened. Another in the same circumstance, taking a different perspective, would react quite differently."   Do not share these thoughts with the grieving person. Sympathize with them—even cry with them. Your tears will be outward, not inward.

I]f you gape after externals, you must of necessity ramble up and down in obedience to the will of your master. And who is the master? He who has the power over the things which you seek to gain or try to avoid.

Don't look for it in externals; it isn't in the body, and, if you doubt me, just look at Myron or Ophellius. It isn't in wealth, look at Croesus, or look at the rich of today: you'll see how unhappy they are.

Surrender the body and its members, physical faculties, property, reputation, office, honours, children, siblings – repudiate them all.

No, I cannot escape death, [10] but at least I can escape the fear of it – or do I have to die moaning and groaning too?

Bravery is a scorner of things which inspire fear; it looks down upon, challenges, and crushes the powers of terror and all that would drive our freedom under the yoke.

Jos joku kertoo sinulle, että se ja se panettelee sinua, älä ryhdy puolustautumaan panetteluja vastaan, vaan sano: Hän ei nähtävästi tiennyt muita vikojani, sillä muutoin hän ei olisi tyytynyt mainitsemaan vain noita.

None of those who have been raised to a loftier height by riches and honours is really great.

You cannot choose the era, nationality, family, and body into which you are born. But to act well in your given role—this is your sphere of power.

It is a universal law – have no illusions – that every creature alive is attached to nothing so much as to its own self-interest.

that rational animals can hold off acting on impressions until they are scrutinized and assessed; and (2) if they are judged unreasonable – i.e. irrational or merely impractical – we can and should withhold our assent from them.

If you make peace with all things that are beyond your power, refusing to fight them, you will be invincible.

When you're alone you should call this condition tranquility and freedom, and think of yourself like the gods; and when you are with many, you shouldn't call it a crowd, or trouble, or uneasiness, but festival and company, and contentedly accept it.

So when someone assents to a false proposition, be sure that they did not want to give their assent, since, as Plato says, 'Every soul is deprived of the truth against its will.'47 [5] They simply mistook for true something false.

Nothing is in reality either pleasant or unpleasant by nature but all things become so through habit.

Wisdom is a large and spacious thing. It needs plenty of free room. One must learn about things divine and human, the past and the future, the ephemeral and the eternal; and one must learn about Time.

But the wise man knows that all things are in store for him. Whatever happens, he says: I knew it.

It is not the person who insults or attacks you who torments your mind, but the view you take of these things.

Are the Trojans wise or foolish? If they are wise, do not quarrel with them; if they are fools, ignore them.

But my nose is running!' What do you have hands for, idiot, if not to wipe it? 'But how is it right that there be running noses in the first place?' Instead of thinking up protests, wouldn't it be easier just to wipe your nose?