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75 Best Epictetus Quotes to Get You Inspired

Epictetus (c. 50 – c. 135 AD) was a Greek Stoic philosopher. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his The enchiridion (the handbook) and discourses. Primarily interested in ethics, Epictetus described philosophy as learning "how it is possible to employ desire and aversion without hindrance".

If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer,
If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it.
Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it.
Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems.
Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems.
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

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 suppose that one has made progress simply by having internalized their contents.

Epictetus
No man is free who is not master of himself.
No man is free who is not master of himself.
The essence of philosophy is that a man should live so that his happiness depends as little as possible from external causes.
The essence of philosophy is that a man should live so that his happiness depends as little as possible from external causes.
People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.
People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.
If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.
Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.

How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself and in no instance bypass the discriminations of reason? You have been given the principles that you ought to endorse, and you have endorsed them. What kind of teacher, then, are you still waiting for in order to refer your self-improvement to him? You are no longer a boy, but a full-grown man. If you are careless and lazy now and keep putting things off and always deferring the day after which you will attend to yourself, you will not notice that you are making no progress, but you will live and die as someone quite ordinary.
From now on, then, resolve to live as a grown-up who is making progress, and make whatever you think best a law that you never set aside. And whenever you encounter anything that is difficult or pleasurable, or highly or lowly regarded, remember that the contest is now: you are at the Olympic Games, you cannot wait any longer, and that your progress is wrecked or preserved by a single day and a single event. That is how Socrates fulfilled himself by attending to nothing except reason in everything he encountered. And you, although you are not yet a Socrates, should live as someone who at least wants to be a Socrates.

Epictetus
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.
Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.
Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.
Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.
He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
Only the educated are free.
Only the educated are free.
Circumstances don't make the man, they only reveal him to himself.
Circumstances don't make the man, they only reveal him to himself.
When you are offended at any man’s fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.
When you are offended at any man’s fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

Remember, it is not enough to be hit or insulted to be harmed, you must believe that you are being harmed. If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to maintain control.

Epictetus
To accuse others for one's own misfortune 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.
To accuse others for one's own misfortune 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.
In the long run, every man will pay the penalty for this own misdeeds.
In the long run, every man will pay the penalty for this own misdeeds.
Don't be concerned with other people's impressions of you. They are dazzled and deluded by appearances. Stick with your purpose. This alone will strengthen your will and give your life coherence.
Don't be concerned with other people's impressions of you. They are dazzled and deluded by appearances. Stick with your purpose. This alone will strengthen your will and give your life coherence.
First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.
You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.
I laugh at those who think they can damage me. They do not know who I am, they do not know what I think, they cannot even touch the things which are really mine and with which I live.
I laugh at those who think they can damage me. They do not know who I am, they do not know what I think, they cannot even touch the things which are really mine and with which I live.
It is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.
It is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.
Nature hath given men one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.
Nature hath given men one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.
Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the living, and her eyes they blind.
Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the living, and her eyes they blind.
Attach yourself to what is spiritually superior, regardless of what other people think or do. Hold to your true aspirations no matter what is going on around you.
Attach yourself to what is spiritually superior, regardless of what other people think or do. Hold to your true aspirations no matter what is going on around you.
Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact. We inadvertently adopt their interests, their opinions, their values, and their habit of interpreting events.
Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact. We inadvertently adopt their interests, their opinions, their values, and their habit of interpreting events.

Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.

Epictetus
Seek not the good in external things; seek it in yourselves.
Seek not the good in external things; seek it in yourselves.
The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
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.
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.
Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.
Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.
Who is your master? Anyone who has control over things upon which you’ve set your heart, or over things which you seek to avoid.
Who is your master? Anyone who has control over things upon which you’ve set your heart, or over things which you seek to avoid.
You are not your body and hair-style, but your capacity for choosing well. If your choices are beautiful, so too will you be.
You are not your body and hair-style, but your capacity for choosing well. If your choices are beautiful, so too will you be.

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 is your life! You aren’t a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you’ll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do – now.

Epictetus

Most of what passes for legitimate entertainment is inferior or foolish and only caters to or exploits people's weaknesses. Avoid being one of the mob who indulges in such pastimes. Your life is too short and you have important things to do. Be discriminating about what images and ideas you permit into your mind. If you yourself don't choose what thoughts and images you expose yourself to, someone else will, and their motives may not be the highest. It is the easiest thing in the world to slide imperceptibly into vulgarity. But there's no need for that to happen if you determine not to waste your time and attention on mindless pap.

Epictetus

Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble. It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now.

Epictetus
Let silence be your general rule; or say only what is necessary and in few words.
Let silence be your general rule; or say only what is necessary and in few words.
In prosperity it is very easy to find a friend; but in adversity it is the most difficult of all things.
In prosperity it is very easy to find a friend; but in adversity it is the most difficult of all things.
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.
Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.
Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness.
Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness.
If evil be said of thee, and if it be true, correct thyself; if it be a lie, laugh at it.
If evil be said of thee, and if it be true, correct thyself; if it be a lie, laugh at it.
Do not try to seem wise to others.
Do not try to seem wise to others.
All religions must be tolerated… for every man must get to heaven in his own way.
All religions must be tolerated… for every man must get to heaven in his own way.
If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.
If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.
A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.
A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.

Remember that you ought to behave in life as you would at a banquet. As something is being passed around it comes to you; stretch out your hand, take a portion of it politely. It passes on; do not detain it. Or it has not come to you yet; do not project your desire to meet it, but wait until it comes in front of you. So act toward children, so toward a wife, so toward office, so toward wealth.

Epictetus

God has entrusted me with myself. No man is free who is not master of himself. A man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things. The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.

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 performance himself, Agrippinus replied, 'Appear by all means.' And when Florus inquired, 'But why do not you appear?' he answered, 'Because I do not even consider the question.' For the man who has once stooped to consider such questions, and to reckon up the value of external things, is not far from forgetting what manner of man he is.

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 performance himself, Agrippinus replied, 'Appear by all means.' And when Florus inquired, 'But why do not you appear?' he answered, 'Because I do not even consider the question.' For the man who has once stooped to consider such questions, and to reckon up the value of external things, is not far from forgetting what manner of man he is.

Epictetus
If you would be a reader, read; if a writer, write.
If you would be a reader, read; if a writer, write.
It is better to die of hunger having lived without grief and fear, than to live with a troubled spirit, amid abundance.
It is better to die of hunger having lived without grief and fear, than to live with a troubled spirit, amid abundance.
It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.
It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.
Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.
Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.
You become what you give your attention to
You become what you give your attention to
We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.
We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.

Although we can’t control which roles are assigned to us, it must be our business to act our given role as best as we possibly can and to refrain from complaining about it. Wherever you find yourself and in whatever circumstances, give an impeccable performance.

Epictetus

Difficulty shows what men are. Therefore when a difficulty falls upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a rough young man. Why? So that you may become an Olympic conqueror; but it is not accomplished without sweat

Epictetus
Practice yourself, for heaven’s sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.
Practice yourself, for heaven’s sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.
If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.
If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.
Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied,
Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, "He who is content.
Events do not just happen, but arrive by appointment.
Events do not just happen, but arrive by appointment.
Know you not that a good man does nothing for appearance sake, but for the sake of having done right?
Know you not that a good man does nothing for appearance sake, but for the sake of having done right?

Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our actions. The things in our control are by nature free, unrestrained, unhindered; but those not in our control are weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others. Remember, then, that if you suppose that things which are slavish by nature are also free, and that what belongs to others is your own, then you will be hindered. You will lament, you will be disturbed, and you will find fault both with gods and men. But if you suppose that only to be your own which is your own, and what belongs to others such as it really is, then no one will ever compel you or restrain you. Further, you will find fault with no one or accuse no one. You will do nothing against your will. No one will hurt you, you will have no enemies, and you not be harmed.

Epictetus

Never depend on the admiration of others. There is no strength in it. Personal merit cannot be derived from an external source. It is not to be found in your personal associations, nor can it be found in the regard of other people. It is a fact of life that other people, even people who love you, will not necessarily agree with your ideas, understand you, or share your enthusiasms. Grow up! Who cares what other people think about you!

Epictetus
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