Quotes from Epictetus

For what else is tragedy than the portrayal in tragic verse of the sufferings of men who have attached high value to external things?

But the tyrant will chain …' What? Your legs. 'But he'll cut off …' What? Your head. What is he incapable, then, of chaining up or cutting off? Your power of choice.

In every situation, consider what precedes it and what may follow—then act. If you act rashly, without regard to consequences, you may defeat your purposes.

The upshot is that if you identify self-interest with piety, honesty, country, parents and friends, then they are all secure.

But only if I identify with my will can I be someone's friend – or son, or father – in the true sense, because only then will my self-interest be served by remaining loyal, honest, patient, tolerant and supportive, and by maintaining my social relations.

Where are you going to find serenity and independence – in something free, or something enslaved?

Find satisfaction in following your philosophy. If you want to be respected, start by respecting yourself.

the gods I am indebted for having good grandfathers, good parents, a good sister, good teachers, good associates, good kinsmen and friends, nearly everything good.

Find your significance within yourself. Within your own sphere of power—that is where you have the greatest consequence.

First, tell yourself what you want to be, then act your part accordingly.

A bad person's character cannot be trusted, it's weak and indecisive, easily won over by different impressions at different times.

But I'll get money, and then share it." If you can acquire riches without losing your honor and self-respect, then do it. But if you lose what is dearest to you, no amount of money can make up for it.

the Oracle at Delphi—once threw a man out of the temple for abandoning his friend.

Who is there left for me to fear, and over what has he control? Not what is in my power, because no one controls that except myself. As for what is not in my power, in that I take no interest.

The people before whom you bow and tremble – when I meet them, I treat them as if they were slaves.

has any of you such power as Socrates had, in all his intercourse with men, of winning them over to his own convictions?

Be the same person in public as in private.

Speak only what is useful and beneficial.

Furthermore the true Cynic must know that he is sent as a Messenger from God to men, to show unto them that as touching good and evil they are in error; looking for these where they are not to be found, nor ever bethinking themselves where they are.

Refuse to participate in gossip—tearing down, inflating, and judging other people.

If any be unhappy, let him remember that he is unhappy by reason of himself alone. For God hath made all men to enjoy felicity and constancy of good. CXXIII

that is where you will see true progress embodied, and find someone who has not wasted their time making the journey here from home.

What is my position in society?" The one best suited to your talents, which you can hold with honor. Each person has a vital role in society; you are important right where you are. But if you lose your honor in striving for greater (perceived) significance, you become useless.

You do not seem to realize that the mind is subject only to itself. It alone can control it, [13] which shows the force and justice of God's edict: the strong shall always prevail over the weak.