50-120, Stoic Philosopher
One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.
Epictetus – [Perfection]
Only the educated are free.
Epictetus – [Education]
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.
Epictetus – [Discipline]
Remember that you are an actor in a drama, of such a part as it may please the master to assign you, for a long time or for a little as he may choose. And if he will you to take the part of a poor man, or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen, then may you act that part with grace! For to act well the part that is allotted to us, that indeed is ours to do, but to choose it is another s.
Epictetus – [Destiny]
So you wish to conquer in the Olympic games, my friend? And I too, by the Gods, and a fine thing it would be! But first mark the conditions and the consequences, and then set to work. You will have to put yourself under discipline; to eat by rule, to avoid cakes and sweetmeats; to take exercise at the appointed hour whether you like it or no, in cold and heat; to abstain from cold drinks and from wine at your will; in a word, to give yourself over to the trainer as to a physician. Then in the conflict itself you are likely enough to dislocate your wrist or twist your ankle, to swallow a great deal of dust, or to be severely thrashed, and, after all these things, to be defeated.
Epictetus – [Sports]
The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
Epictetus – [Achievement]
The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Epictetus – [Truth]
The soul's impurity consists in bad judgments, and purification consists in producing in it right judgments, and the pure soul is one which has right judgments.
Epictetus – [Soul]
The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.
Epictetus – [Patience]
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
Epictetus – [Happiness]
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 – [Adversity]
What will the world be quite overturned when you die?
Epictetus – [Egotism]
Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.
Epictetus – [Anger]
Who is not attracted by bright and pleasant children, to prattle, to creep, and to play with them?
Epictetus – [Children]
Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world.
Epictetus – [Happiness]
You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.
Epictetus – [Life and Living]
| Quotations 41 to 56 of 56 | First | < Previous |