Quotes from Epictetus

All philosophy in two words, — sustain and abstain.

If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible.

Any one thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence to a humble and grateful mind.

When you close your doors, and make darkness within, remember never to say that you are alone, for you are not alone; nay, God is within, and your genius is within. And what need have they of light to see what you are doing?

We are not to give credit to the many, who say that none ought to be educated but the free but rather to the philosophers, who say that the well-educated alone are free.

Shall I show you the sinews of a philosopher? "What sinews are those?"—A will undisappointed; evils avoided; powers daily exercised; careful resolutions; unerring decisions.

To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.

Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be; or they neither are, nor appear to be; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task.

Were I a nightingale, I would sing like a nightingale; were I a swan, like a swan. But as it is, I am a rational being, therefore I must sing hymns of praise to God.

What is the first business of philosophy? To part with self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn what he thinks that he already knows.

It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.

Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig. I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.

It takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it.

Be not swept off your feet by the vividness of the impression, but say, "Impression, wait for me a little. Let me see what you are and what you represent. Let me try you."

Where do you suppose he got that high brow?

A wise man is he who does not grieve for the thing which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

Any one thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence to an humble and grateful mind.

Appear to know only this,--never to fail nor fall.

Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.

Difficulties are things that show what men are.

Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil.

Everything has two handles,--one by which it may be borne another by which it cannot.

He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.

He is free who lives as he wishes to live; who is neither subject to compulsion nor to hindrance, nor to force; whose movements to action are not impeded, whose desires attain their purpose, and who does not fall into that which he would avoid.