Epictetus Quotes

For the steerer of a ship to upset it, he has no need of the same means as he has need of for saving it: but if he turns it a little to the wind, it is lost.

From Epictetus's discourse on what things we should exchange for other things (Discourses IV.3), recorded by his student Arrian.

But they have produced such wonderful fruit in a human mind, as part of their plan to bestow on humanity the true secret of happiness.

Those of our pleasures which come most rarely give the greatest delight.

If you would improve, submit to be considered without sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing: and if you shall seem to some to be a person of importance, distrust yourself.

Enchiridion 13, the handbook of Epictetus's teaching compiled by his student Arrian.

Σκέψαι, ὧν προέθου ἀρχόμενος, τίνων μὲν ἐκράτησας, τίνων δ' οὔ, καὶ πῶς ἐφ' οἷς μὲν εὐφραίνῃ ἀναμιμνῃσκόμενος, ἐφ' οἷς δ' ἄχθῃ, καὶ εἰ δυνατόν, ἀνάλαβε κἀκεῖνα ὧν ἀπώλισθες. οὐ γὰρ ἀποκνητέον τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν μέγιστον ἀγωνιζομένοις, ἀλλὰ καὶ πληγὰς ληπτέον.

From Epictetus's discourse to those who fall short of what they set out to do (Discourses III.25), recorded by his student Arrian.

Τάξον τινὰ ἤδη χαρακτῆρα σαυτῷ καὶ τύπον, ὃν φυλάξεις ἐπί τε σεαυτοῦ ὢν καὶ ἀνθρώποις ἐντυγχάνων.

Enchiridion 33, the handbook of Epictetus's teaching compiled by his student Arrian.

If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: ‘He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned’.

Pain too is just a scary mask: look under it and you will see. The body sometimes suffers, but relief is never far behind.

I will throw you into prison.’ ‘Correction – it is my body you will throw there.

Man is troubled not by events, but by the meaning he gives to them.

And can you be forced by anyone to desire something against your will? ‘No.

A lute player when he is singing by himself has no anxiety, but when he enters the theatre, he is anxious even if he has a good voice and plays well on the lute; for he not only wishes to sing well, but also to obtain applause: but this is not in his power.

From Epictetus's discourse On Anxiety (Discourses II.13), recorded by his student Arrian.

Who then is a Stoic? As we call a statue Phidiac, which is fashioned according to the art of Phidias; so show me a man who is fashioned according to the doctrines which he utters.

From Epictetus's discourse against those who take up the philosophers' teachings only to talk about them (Discourses II.19), recorded by his student Arrian.

Ἑκάστου ἔργου σκόπει τὰ καθηγούμενα καὶ τὰ ἀκόλουθα αὐτοῦ καὶ οὕτως ἔρχου ἐπ' αὐτό. εἰ δὲ μή, τὴν μὲν πρώτην προθύμως ἥξεις ἅτε μηδὲν τῶν ἑξῆς ἐντεθυμημένος, ὕστερον δὲ ἀναφανέντων δυσχερῶν τινων αἰσχρῶς ἀποστήσῃ.

Enchiridion 29, the handbook of Epictetus's teaching compiled by his student Arrian; condensed from Discourses III.15.

If you find yourself acting to impress others, or avoiding action out of fear of what they might think, you have left the path.