Epictetus Quotes

Philosopher

Epictetus was a renowned Greek philosopher born in 55 AD and died in 135 AD. He founded the Stoic school of philosophy, emphasizing the importance of reason, morality, and self-control, which had a profound impact on subsequent philosophy.

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Famous Epictetus Quotes

“Against specious appearances we must set clear convictions, bright and ready for use. When death appears as an evil, we ought immediately to remember that evils are things to be avoided, but death is inevitable.”

Use Remember Death Evil Clear Ready Ought Conviction Appearance Inevitable Avoided

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

Source: The Works of Epictetus: Consisting of His Discourses, in Four Books, the Enchiridion, and Fragments

“Nothing outside the will can hinder or harm the will; it can only harm itself. If then we accept this, and, when things go amiss, are inclined to blame ourselves, remembering that judgment alone can disturb our peace and constancy, I swear to you by all the gods that we have made progress.”

Ifs Made Remember Accepting Progress Judgment Blame Harm Swear Hinder Constancy If Then

Book:The Discourses and Manual: Together with Fragments of His Writings

Source: The Discourses and Manual: Together with Fragments of His Writings

“Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don't talk how persons ought to eat, but eat as you ought. For remember that in this manner Socrates also universally avoided all ostentation.”

Persons Remember Deals Ought Philosopher Entertainment Avoided Theorems Ostentation

Book:The Handbook of Epictetus

Source: The Handbook of Epictetus

“If a man is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault, for God made all men to be happy.”

Ifs Men Made Remember Faults Unhappy Unhappiness

Book:Discourses ...

Source: Discourses ...

“When any person treats you ill or speaks ill of you, remember that he does this or says this because he thinks it is his duty. It is not possible, then, for him to follow that which seems right to you, but that which seems right to himself.”

Thinking Persons Doe Seems Remember Speak Duty Treats Ill

Book:Enchiridion

Source: Enchiridion

“Embrace reality. Think about what delights you - the small luxuries on which you depend, the people whom you cherish most. But remember that they have their own distinct character, which is quite a separate matter from how we happen to regard them.”

People Thinking Matter Character Reality Happens Remember Depends Regard Embrace Delight Luxury Cherish

Author:Epictetus

“Difficulty shows what men are. Therefore when a difficulty falls upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a rough young man. Why? So that you may become an Olympic conqueror; but it is not accomplished without sweat.”

Men Inspirational May Shows Wisdom Remember Young Fall Difficulty Young Man Accomplished Rough Sweat Trainers Conqueror Matched Wrestler

Book:The Enchiridion, or Handbook: With A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus

Source: The Enchiridion, or Handbook: With A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus

“If any be unhappy, let him remember that he is unhappy by reason of himself alone. For God hath made all men to enjoy felicity and constancy of good.”

Ifs Men Made Reason Remember Enjoy Unhappy Constancy Felicity

Book:The Golden Sayings of Epictetus In Plain and Simple English (Translated)

Source: The Golden Sayings of Epictetus In Plain and Simple English (Translated)

“Remember that you ought to behave in life as you would at a banquet. As something is being passed around it comes to you; stretch out your hand, take a portion of it politely. It passes on; do not detain it. Or it has not come to you yet; do not project your desire to meet it, but wait until it comes in front of you. So act toward children, so toward a wife, so toward office, so toward wealth.”

Life Children Hands Remember Desire Waiting Wealth Wife Fronts Ought Office Projects Behave Portions Banquets

Author:Epictetus

“It is difficulties that show what men are. For the future, in case of any difficulty, remember that God, like a gymnastic trainer, has pitted you against a rough antagonist. For what end? That you may be an Olympic conqueror; and this cannot be without toil.”

Men Inspirational May Shows Remember Religion Cases Morality Difficulty Rough Problem Solving Show Me Toil You Again Conqueror Antagonist

Author:Epictetus

“When you close your doors, and make darkness within, remember never to say that you are alone, for you are not alone; nay, God is within, and your genius is within. And what need have they of light to see what you are doing?”

Needs Light Remember Darkness Doors Loneliness Genius Not Alone Being Alone Darkness Within

Book:The Discourses as Reported by Arrian: The Manual, and Fragments

Source: The Discourses as Reported by Arrian: The Manual, and Fragments

“On the occasion of every accident that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use.”

Use Remember Turns Safety Accidents Occasions Aviation

Book:The Enchiridion, or Handbook: With A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus

Source: The Enchiridion, or Handbook: With A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus

“If anyone is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault... Nothing else is the cause of anxiety or loss of tranquility except our own opinion.”

Ifs Remember Causes Loss Opinion Anxiety Faults Happy Unhappy Unhappiness Tranquility Happy Birthday Happy Girl

Author:Epictetus

“If someone irritates you, it is only your own response that is irritating you. Therefore, when anyone seems to be provoking you, remember that it is only your judgment of the incident that provokes you. -”

Ifs Seems Remember Judgment Response Provoking Incidents Irritating Irritated

Author:Epictetus

“Remember that you are in actor in a play of such a kind that the author chooses...For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part belongs to another.”

Life Wells Kind Play Remember Actors Given Duty Select

Author:Epictetus

“Remember that you are an actor in a play, and that the Playwright chooses the manner of it: If he wants you to act a poor man you must act the part with all your powers; and so if your part be a cripple or a magistrate or a plain man. For your business is to act the character that is given you and act it well. The choice of the cast is Another's.”

Ifs Men Want Wells Play Character Remember Choices Actors Given Poor Business He Man Casts Playwright Poor Man Cripples Magistrates

Book:Stoic Six Pack: Meditations of Marcus Aurelius The Golden Sayings Fragments and Discourses of Epictetus Letters from a Stoic and The Enchiridion

Source: Stoic Six Pack: Meditations of Marcus Aurelius The Golden Sayings Fragments and Discourses of Epictetus Letters from a Stoic and The Enchiridion

“If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.”

Ifs Remember Brother Philosophical Thee My Brother Cheating Thank You Brother Sister

Author:Epictetus

“Remember that you are but an actor, acting whatever part the Master has ordained. It may be short or it may be long. If he wishes you to represent a poor man, do so heartily; if a cripple, or a magistrate, or a private man, in each case act your part with honor.”

Ifs Men May Long Remember Actors Wish Poor Acting Cases Masters Honor Wish You Poor Man Cripples Magistrates

Author:Epictetus

“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.”

Ifs Men Should Wells Long Remember Actors Given Pleasure Poor Citizens Drama Rulers Poor Man Cripples

Book:The Enchiridion

Source: The Enchiridion

“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.”

Ifs Way Firsts Heart Philosophy Seems Remember Philosopher Cherish Yield Laughed Reverence Scorn Brows

Author:Epictetus