Quotessence
Home / Authors / Epictetus
Epictetus

Epictetus Quotes

Philosopher

Filter quotes by topic

AllMenIfsLifePhilosophicalPhilosophyWishShouldInspirationalPersonsThinking

Famous Epictetus Quotes

“No greater thing 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.”

IfsLifeFirstsDesireTimeAnswersGreaterBearsPatienceWineFruitScaryBunchGrapesGreek PhilosopherFigsNo PatienceGreater ThingsLife PatienceGreat PatienceI Have No PatienceTime And PatienceTime Patience
Book:The Works of Epictetus: Consisting of His Discourses, in Four Books, the Enchiridion, and Fragments
Create image

“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.”

GivingWellsLearningOughtPhilosopherCreditEducatedWell Educated
Book:The Works of Epictetus: Consisting of His Discourses, in Four Books, Preserved by Arrian ; The Enchiridion, and Fragments
Create image

“Do you know that disease and death must needs overtake us, no matter what we are doing?... what do you wish to be doing when it overtakes you?... If you have anything better to be doing when you are so overtaken, get to work on that.”

IfsKnowsNeedsMatterWishDiseaseNo Matter WhatDo You KnowCarpe DiemCarpeDisease And Death
Book:Epictetus: the Discourses as reported by Arrian, the Manual, and fragments
Create image

“What is it that every man seeks? To be secure, to be happy, to do what he pleases without restraint and without compulsion.”

MenFreedomPleaseEvery ManSecureRestraintCompulsion
Book:All the Works of Epictetus: Which are Now Extant; Consisting of His Discourses, Preserved by Arrian, in Four Books, the Enchiridion, and Fragments
Create image

“No living being is held by anything so strongly as by its own needs. Whatever therefore appears a hindrance to these, be it brother, or father, or child, or mistress, or friend, is hated, abhorred, execrated.”

NeedsChildrenFatherBrotherHatedMistressHindrance
Book:The Works of Epictetus: Consisting of His Discourses, in Four Books, the Enchiridion, and Fragments
Create image

“Remember that you are an actor in a drama of such sort as the Author chooses: if short, then in a short one; if long, then in a long one. If it be His pleasure that you should enact a poor man, or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen, see that you act it well. For this is your business, to act well the given part. But to choose it belongs to Another.”

IfsMenShouldWellsLongRememberActorsGivenPleasurePoorCitizensDramaRulersPoor ManCripples
Book:The Enchiridion
Create image

“If you set your heart upon philosophy, you must straightway prepare yourself to be laughed at and mocked by many who will say Behold a philosopher arisen among us! or How came you by that brow of scorn? But do you cherish no scorn, but hold to those things which seem to you the best, as one set by God in that place. Remember too, that if you abide in those ways, those who first mocked you, the same shall afterwards reverence you; but if you yield to them, you will be laughed at twice as much as before.”

IfsWayFirstsHeartPhilosophySeemsRememberPhilosopherCherishYieldLaughedReverenceScornBrows
Author:Epictetus
Create image