Epictetus Quotes
Quotes by Epictetus

We cannot choose our external circumstances,
but we can always choose how to respond to them.
- Epictetus

Related topics: Positive Inspirational Motivational Attitude

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

Not every difficult and dangerous thing
is suitable for training,
but only that which is conducive to success
in achieving the object of our effort.
- Epictetus

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

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

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

Difficulties are things that show a person what he is.
- Epictetus

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

No one is free who is not master of himself.
- 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.
- Epictetus

Difficulties show men what they are.
In case of any difficulty,
remember that God has pitted you
against a rough antagonist
that you may be a conqueror,
and this cannot be without toil.
- Epictetus

All philosophy lies in two words,
sustain and abstain.
- Epictetus

Those who are dedicated to a life of wisdom
understand that the impulse to blame
something or someone is foolishness,
that there is nothing to be gained in blaming,
whether it be others or oneself.
- Epictetus

If you want to improve,
be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
- Epictetus

It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded,
but the fear of pain or death.
- Epictetus

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

Fortify yourself with contentment,
for it is an impregnable fortress. -
- Epictetus

Do not seek to bring things to pass
in accordance with your wishes,
but wish for them as they are,
and you will find them.
- Epictetus

The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live
that his happiness shall depend
as little as possible on external things.
- Epictetus

We can't control the impressions others form about us,
and the effort to do so only debases our character.
- Epictetus

No great thing is created suddenly.
- Epictetus

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

Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.
- Epictetus

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying
about things which are beyond the power of our will.
- Epictetus

No man is free who is not master of himself.
- Epictetus

We have two ears and one mouth so that
we can listen twice as much as we speak.
- Epictetus

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

If evil be spoken of you
and it be true, correct yourself,
if it be a lie, laugh at it.
- Epictetus

It is impossible to begin to learn
that which one thinks one already knows.
- Epictetus

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

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

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

Anyone is free who lives as he wishes to live.
- Epictetus

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

Control thy passions lest they take vengeance upon thee.
- Epictetus

It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you,
but your opinion that these things are insulting.
- Epictetus

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

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

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

Freedom is the right to live as we wish.
- Epictetus

To accuse others for one's own misfortunes
is a sign of want of education.
To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun.
To accuse neither oneself nor others
shows that one's education is complete.
- Epictetus

No greater thing is created suddenly,
any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig.
If you tell me that you desire a fig,
I answer you that there must be time.
Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.
- Epictetus

Never in any case say I have lost such a thing, but I have returned it.
Is your child dead? It is a return. Is your wife dead? It is a return.
Are you deprived of your estate? Is not this also a return?
- Epictetus

Choose Quotes

Choose what lies in the shadows to be a matter
for discovery and adventure, rather than fear.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Choose the World You See,
and See the World You Choose.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Choose with no regret.
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Choose your Habits, Choose your Life.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Choose to be as a young child -
fully awake, eager for the next experience.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Today, I choose the higher road -
the path of charity, acceptance, love, selflessness, kindness.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Life is lived in the living.
Set aside convention, caution,
and arbitrary "rules" about how
life is supposed to be lived.
Choose! Explore! Adventure!
Live life to the fullest.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Have NO EXPECTATIONS.
Life will not meet your expectations.
Choose joy anyway.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Live life with no regrets and no resentments.
Whatever happened in the past,
forgive yourself and others. Choose love.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

You don't get to choose how you're going to die,
only how you're going to live.
- Joan Baez

Choose to soar. Choose to fly your dreams.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Choose wisely - then act decisively. Do it today!
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Choose in ways that support your dreams.
- Mary Anne Radmacher

You are defined by your habits - choose well.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

CHOOSE your future, and take ACTION -
be the hammer, not the nail.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Everyone should carefully observe
which way his heart draws him,
and then choose that way with all his strength.
- Hasidic Proverb

I choose to live a life of gratitude and joy,
inspiring others to follow my example.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Understand that the right to
choose your own path
is a sacred privilege.
Use it.
Dwell in possibility.
- Oprah Winfrey

Choose! If it's worth doing, do it today.
If it's not worth doing today, save yourself a lot
of worry and regret by choosing to permanently
erase it from your to-do list.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I choose to feel supremely happy at this very moment.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Pain is what the world inflicts upon us.
Suffering is our emotional reaction when we fail
to make the difficult conscious choice to choose Joy.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The only reason you suffer is because you choose to suffer.
The only reason you are happy is because you choose to be happy.
Happiness is a choice, and so is suffering.
- don Miguel Ruiz

Don't let the past drive life - choose life.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Every day is a new beginning -
a day for a new plan and new action.
If today, in conscious awareness, you choose
the same plan as yesterday, you are wise.
If you choose a different plan, you are equally wise.
Whatever you choose, choose with intention.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I choose my life-path.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

You will always have habits -
things you do regularly and without conscious thought -
but you do have the ability to CHOOSE your habits.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I choose to live my life in the present, with consciousness.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I CHOOSE with courage, awareness, consciousness,
and compassion toward all.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

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