Quotes from Epictetus

Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.

There is only one thing for which God has sent me into the world, and that is to develop every kind of virtue or strength, and there is nothing in all the world that I cannot use for this purpose.

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

Choose the life that is noblest, for custom can make it sweet to thee.

Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.

Survey and test a prospective action before undertaking it. Before you proceed, step back and look at the big picture, lest you act rashly on raw impulse.

You only have to doze a moment, and all is lost. For ruin and salvation both have their source inside you.

When one maintains his proper attitude in life, he does not long after externals.

Give me by all means the shorter and nobler life, instead of one that is longer but of less account!

I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?

Learn to distinguish what you can and can't control. Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, desires and the things that repel us. They are directly subject to our influence.

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

Freedom is the right to live as we wish.

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

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.

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

At this time is freedom anything but the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.

No great thing is created suddenly. There must be time. Give your best and always be kind.

When the Idea, of any Pleasure strikes your Imagination... let that time be employed in making a just Computation between, the duration of the Pleasure, and that of the Repentance sure to follow it.

No one who is in a state of fear or sorrow or tension is free, but whosoever is delivered from sorrows or fears or anxieties is at the same time delivered from servitude.

To a longer and worse life, a shorter and better is by all means to be preferred.

Remember that you are in actor in a play of such a kind that the author chooses...For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part belongs to another.

In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught;but in life there are many things to draw us aside.

Control thy passions lest they take vengence on thee.