Remember to act always as if you were at a symposium. When … - Epictetus

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Remember to act always as if you were at a symposium. When the food or drink comes around, reach out and take some politely; if it passes you by don't try pulling it back. And if it has not reached you yet, don't let your desire run ahead of you, be patient until your turn comes. Adopt a similar attitude with regard to children, wife, wealth and status, and in time, you will be entitled to dine with the gods. Go further and decline these goods even when they are on offer and you will have a share in the gods' power as well as their company. That is how Diogenes, Heraclitus and philosophers like them came to be called, and considered, divine.

Epictetus

The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness · May 1, 2004 Verified in 1 source Sign up to see the complete provenance

philosophy stoic stoicism self-control

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About Epictetus

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.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Native Name: ΕΠΙΚΤΗΤΟΣ

Alternative Names: Epictetus of Hierapolis • Epiktetos

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Shorter versions of this quote

Remember to act always as if you were at a symposium. When the food or drink comes around, reach out and take some politely; if it passes you by don't try to pulling it back. And if it has not reached you yet, don't let your desire run ahead of you, be patient until your turn comes.

Originators like Epictetus:

Marcus Aurelius The Buddha Socrates Jordan Peterson Confucius

Additional quotes by Epictetus

Do not say of anything “I have lost it,” but rather, “I have given it back.” Has your wife died? You have given her back. Has your child died? You have given him back. Have you lost your home? You have given it back. “But,” you may retort, “a bad person took it.” It is not your concern by what means something returns to the Source from which it came. For as long as the Source entrusts something to your hands, treat it as something borrowed, like a traveller at an inn.

No digo que no te esté permitido quejarte, sino que no te quejes por dentro

I laugh at those who think they can damage me. They do not know who I am, they do not know what I think, they cannot even touch the things which are really mine and with which I live.

Remember to act always as if you were at a symposium. When the food or drink comes around, reach out and take some politely; if it passes you by don'… - Epictetus

About Epictetus

Also Known As

Shorter versions of this quote

Additional quotes by Epictetus