Epictetus Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Epictetus quotes, Epictetus sayings, and Epictetus proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. Epictetus
We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope. Epictetus
Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to your ability to choose, unless that is your choice. Lameness is a hindrance to the leg, but not to your ability to choose. Say this to yourself with regard to everything that happens, then you will see such obstacles as hindrances to something else, but not to yourself. Epictetus
What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance. Epictetus
People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them. Epictetus
One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent. Epictetus
If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible. 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
When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn't have to look outside themselves for approval. Epictetus
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. Epictetus
It is the part of an uneducated person to blame others where he himself fares ill; to blame himself is the part of one whose education has begun; to blame neither another nor his own self is the part of one whose education is already complete. Epictetus
The foolish and the uneducated have little use for freedom. Only the educated are free. Epictetus
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
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. 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
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. Epictetus
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has Epictetus
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. Epictetus
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. Epictetus
Don't trust in your reputation, money, or position, but in the strength that is yours - namely, your judgements about the things that you control and don't control. Epictetus
We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope. Epictetus
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain. Epictetus
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. Epictetus
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has Epictetus
Watchfulness...is the vital need, for he who does not watch is soon overwhelmed. The sternman needs only sleep a moment and the vessel is lost. Epictetus
I have a lantern. You steal my lantern. What, then, is your honor worth no more to you than the price of my lantern! Epictetus
Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things. Epictetus
Know you not that a good man does nothing for appearance sake, but for the sake of having done right? Epictetus
If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother. Epictetus
Ask not that events should happen as you will, but let you will be that events should happen as they do, and you shall have peace. Epictetus