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Epictetus Quotes
b. 135 Greece
Epictetus (Ancient Greek: Ἐπίκτητος, Epíktētos; c. 50 – c. 135 AD) was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was born into slavery in Phrygia and lived in Rome until his banishment, after which he spent the rest of his life in Nicopolis in northwestern Greece.
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The propositions which are true and evident must of necessity be employed even by those who contradict them.
For what is lacking now is not quibbles; nay, the books of the Stoics are full of quibbles.
To the rational being only the irrational is unendurable, but the rational is endurable.
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things; and thence proceed to greater.
In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside.
You are a little soul carrying a corpse around, as Epictetus used to say.
Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.
Reason is not measured by size or height, but by principle.
In each separate thing that you do consider the matters which come first, and those which follow after, and only then approach the thing itself.
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
Show that you know this only—how you may never either fail to get what you desire or fall into what you avoid.
Every habit and faculty is confirmed and strengthened by the corresponding actions, that of walking by walking, that of running by running. If you would be a good reader, read; if a writer, write.
The Beginning of Philosophy is a Consciousness of your own Weakness and inability in necessary things.
If I can acquire money and also keep myself modest and faithful and magnanimous, point out the way, and I will acquire it.
Let no man think that he is loved by any who loveth none.
If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.
Were I a nightingale, I would act the part of a nightingale; were I a swan, the part of a swan.
Shall I show you the sinews of a philosopher? "What sinews are those?" — A will undisappointed; evils avoided; powers daily exercised, careful resolutions; unerring decisions.
The essence of the good is a certain kind of moral purpose, and that of the evil is a certain kind of moral purpose.
For he who is unmusical is a child in music; he who is without letters is a child in learning; he who is untaught, is a child in life.
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