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One could say that what differentiates ancient from modern philosophy is the fact that, in ancient philosophy, it was not only Chrysippus or Epicurus who, just because they had developed a philosophical discourse, were considered philosophers. Rather, every person who lived according to the precepts of Chrysippus or Epicurus was every bit as much a philosopher as they.

— Pierre Hadot La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

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More quotes by Pierre Hadot

Ancient philosophy proposed to mankind an art of living. By contrast, modern philosophy appears above all as the construction of a technical jargon reserved for specialists.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

To know oneself means, among other things, to know oneself qua non-sage: that is, not as a sophos, but as a philo-sophos, someone on the way toward wisdom.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

Here we come upon one of the most profound reasons for Socratic irony: direct language is not adequate for communicating the experience of existing, the authentic consciousness of being, the seriousness of life as we live it, or the solitude of decision making.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

Socrates had no system to teach. Throughout, his philosophy was a spiritual exercise, an invitation to a new way of life, active reflection, and living consciousness.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

It is precisely because the Epicurean considered existence to be the result of pure chance that he greeted each moment with immense gratitude, like a kind of divine miracle.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Pierre Hadot (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.