“Man is disturbed not by things, but by the opinions he has of things.”
Epictetus Quotes
50 – 135
Greek Stoic philosopher born into slavery who became one of antiquity's most influential thinkers. His teachings, recorded by his student Arrian, emphasize personal freedom through mastery of one's own mind.
40 quotesAbout Epictetus on Wikipedia
“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.”
Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.
“It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
“Seek not the good in external things; seek it in yourself.”
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”
“With every accident, ask yourself what abilities you have for making a proper use of it.”
“Everything has two handles, the one by which it may be carried, the other by which it cannot.”
“Anytus and Melitus may kill me indeed, but hurt me they cannot.”
“Remember that you ought to behave in life as you would at a banquet.”
“No thing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig.”
“Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things; and thence proceed to greater.”
“Were I a nightingale, I would act the part of a nightingale; were I a swan, the part of a swan.”
“For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.”
“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.”
