50-120, Stoic Philosopher
A man that seeks truth and loves it must be reckoned precious to any human society.
Epictetus – [Truth]
A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.
Epictetus – [Life and Living]
A strict belief, fate is the worst kind of slavery; on the other hand there is comfort in the thought that God will be moved by our prayers.
Epictetus – [Destiny]
A wise man is he who does not grieve for the thing which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
Epictetus – [Wisdom]
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
Epictetus – [Abstinence]
Covetousness like jealousy, when it has taken root, never leaves a person, but with their life. Cowardice is the dread of what will happen.
Epictetus – [Coward and Cowardice]
Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.
Epictetus – [Difficulties]
Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty, God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil.
Epictetus – [Difficulties]
First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
Epictetus – [Speakers and Speaking]
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Epictetus – [Affirmation]
For it is not death or hardship that is a fearful thing, but the fear of death and hardship.
Epictetus – [Fear]
Freedom is the right to live as we wish.
Epictetus – [Freedom]
God hath entrusted me with myself.
Epictetus – [God]
He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.
Epictetus – [Alcohol and Alcoholism]
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
Epictetus – [Satisfaction]
He who exercises wisdom exercises the knowledge which is about God.
Epictetus – [Wisdom]
If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.
Epictetus – [Critics and Criticism]
If you set your heart upon philosophy, you must straightway prepare yourself to be laughed at and mocked by many who will say Behold a philosopher arisen among us! or How came you by that brow of scorn? But do you cherish no scorn, but hold to those things which seem to you the best, as one set by God in that place. Remember too, that if you abide in those ways, those who first mocked you, the same shall afterwards reverence you; but if you yield to them, you will be laughed at twice as much as before.
Epictetus – [Philosophers and Philosophy]
If you wish to be a writer; write!
Epictetus – [Writers and Writing]
Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.
Epictetus – [Freedom]