Quotes by Epictetus

About Epictetus:

Epictetus was a Greek speaking Stoic philosopher. He was born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey), and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in north-western Greece for the rest of his life. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses.
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A city is not adorned by external things, but by the virtue of those who dwell in it.

Epictetus

When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shrink from being seen to do it, even though the world should misunderstand it; for if you are not acting rightly, shun the action itself; if you are, why fear those who wrong...

Epictetus

Fortify yourself with contentment for this is an impregnable fortress.

Epictetus

The condition and characteristic of an uninstructed person is this: he never expects from himself profit (advantage) nor harm, but from externals. The condition and characteristic of a philosopher is this: he expects all advantage and all harm from h...

Epictetus

As the sun does not wait for prayers and incantations tob e induced to rise, but immediately shines and is saluted by all, so do you also not wait for clappings of hands and shouts of praise tob e induced to do good, but be a doer of good voluntarily...

Epictetus

You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at various prices. This is why, when Florus was deliberating whether he should appear at Nero's shows, taking part in the perform...

Epictetus

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.

Epictetus

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

Epictetus

An ignorant person is inclined to blame others for his own misfortune. To blame oneself is proof of progress. But the wise man never has to blame another or himself.

Epictetus

The first and most important field of philosophy is the application of principles such as “Do not lie.” Next come the proofs, such as why we should not lie. The third field supports and articulates the proofs, by asking, for example, “How does ...

Epictetus

Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice – now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This ...

Epictetus

Don't just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person. Books are the training weights of the mind. They are very helpful, but it would be a bad mistake to suppos...

Epictetus

If you want to make progress, put up with being perceived as ignorant or naive in worldly matters, don't aspire to a reputation for sagacity. If you do impress others as somebody, don't altogether believe it. You have to realize, it isn't easy to kee...

Epictetus

We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope.

Epictetus
Motivational quotes by Epictetus, Best quotes by Epictetus, UberQuotes

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

Epictetus

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

Epictetus

Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.

Epictetus

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

Epictetus

Freedom is the right to live as we wish.

Epictetus

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

Epictetus

Author Bio

  • NameEpictetus
  • Descriptionphilosopher from Ancient Greece
  • Born50
  • CountryAncient Greece
  • ProfessionPhilosopher