Epictetus Quotes

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

There is one road to peace and happiness (keep the thought near by morning, noon and night): renunciation of externals;

The philosopher's lecture room is a 'hospital': you ought not to walk out of it in a state of pleasure, but in pain; for you are not in good condition when you arrive.

From this instant, then, choose to act like the worthy and capable person you are. Follow unwaveringly what reason tells you is the best course.

It is much better to die of hunger unhindered by grief and fear than to live affluently beset with worry, dread, suspicion and unchecked desire.

What is death? A scary mask. Take it off – see, it doesn’t bite.

If you wish to become proficient in the art of living with wisdom, do you think that you can eat and drink to excess?

Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness

An ignorant person is one who is tossed about between elation and despair by external forces and events.

It is unrealistic to expect people to see you as you see yourself.

So – a true philosopher is under no obligation to respect vulgar opinion as to what is religious or irreligious, what is just or unjust. What dishonour he brings on philosophers in general if he did! That’s not what you learned here.

Authentic happiness is always independent of external conditions.

No man is free who is not a master of himself

Realize that the crisis is now, the Olympics have started and waiting is no longer an option.

Yet God hath not only granted these faculties, by which we may bear every event without being depressed or broken by it, but like a good prince and a true father, hath placed their exercise above restraint, compulsion, or hindrance, and wholly within our own control.