Epictetus Quotes

Greek Stoic philosopher (c. 50–c. 138)

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Epictetus (c. 55 – c. 135 AD), born a slave, was a Greek Stoic philosopher. His words were recorded by his student Arrian in the Discourses and Enchiridion written in the early 2nd-century.

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Native Name: ΕΠΙΚΤΗΤΟΣ

Alternative Names: Epictetus of Hierapolis • Epiktetos

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If you are fond of a specific ceramic cup, remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general of which you are fond. Then, when it breaks, you will not be disturbed.

They made you responsible only for what is in your power – the proper use of impressions.

If you are praised by others, be skeptical of yourself. For it is no easy feat to hold onto your inner harmony while collecting accolades.

It is not reasonings that are wanted now for there are books stuffed full of stoical reasonings. What is wanted, then? The man who shall apply them; whose actions may bear testimony to his doctrines. Assume this character for me, that we may no longer make use in the schools of the examples of the ancients, but may have some examples of our own.

¿Cómo se lo que va a pasar? Mi tarea es utilizar lo que ocurra con diligencia y habilidad.

Who's my 'master? Whoever controls what you desire or dislike.

As you travel the path of philosophy, be content to be considered plain or even foolish. Do not strive to be celebrated for anything. If you are praised by others, be skeptical of yourself. For it it is no easy feat to hold onto your inner harmony while collecting accolades. When grasping for one, you are likely to drop the other.

No te dejes apartar de tu deber por cualquier reflexión vana que de ti pueda hacer el mundo necio, porque en tu poder no están sus censuras, y, por consiguiente, no deben importarte nada

Until you know their reasons, how do you know whether they have acted wrongly?

If a friend tells you that someone has criticized or insulted you, say, “They must not know about my other faults, or they would have pointed out those, too.

you think of yourself as no more than a single thread in the robe, whose duty it is to conform to the mass of people – just as a single white thread seemingly has no wish to clash with the remainder of the garment. [18] But I aspire to be the purple stripe, that is, the garment’s brilliant hem. However small a part it may be, it can still manage to make the garment as a whole attractive. Don’t tell me, then, ‘Be like the rest,’ because in that case I cannot be the purple stripe.3

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.

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

-Who are those people by whom you wish to be admired? Are they not these whom you are in the habit of saying that they are mad? What then? Do you wish to be admired by the mad?

Man, the rational animal, can put up with anything except what seems to him irrational; whatever is rational is tolerable.