Quotes By Epictetus

One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.

You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.

No great thing is created suddenly.

We tell lies, yet it is easy to show that lying is immoral.

The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.

If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.

No man is free who is not master of himself.

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.

Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.

Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.

Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.

Unless we place our religion and our treasure in the same thing, religion will always be sacrificed.

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.

People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.

He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.

Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.

The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.

It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

God has entrusted me with myself.

Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.

If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always an approach toward it.

When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.