Epictetus Quotes

"No man is free who is not master of himself."
-Epictetus

"We have two ears and one mouth so we may listen more and talk the less."
-Epictetus

"Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens."
-Epictetus

"If you would cure anger, do not feed it. Say to yourself: 'I used to be angry every day; then every other day; now only every third or fourth day.' When you reach thirty days offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the gods."
-Epictetus in Anger quotes.

"What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows."
-Epictetus in Conceit quotes.

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. "
-Epictetus

"A wise man is he who does not grieve for the thing which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."
-Epictetus

"Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil."
-Epictetus

"It is the action of an uninstructed person to reproach others for his own misfortune; of one entering instruction, to reproach himself; and one perfectly instructed, to reproach neither others nor himself."
-Epictetus

"If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase."
-Epictetus in Anger quotes.

"Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you, and be silent."
-Epictetus in Food quotes.

"All religions must be tolerated... for... every man must get to heaven in his own way."
-Epictetus

"When you close your doors, and make darkness within, remember never to say that you are alone, for you are not alone; nay, God is within, and your genius is within. And what need have they of light to see what you are doing?"
-Epictetus in Loneliness quotes.

"Control thy passions, lest they take vengeance on thee. "
-Epictetus

"First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak. "
-Epictetus

"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid."
-Epictetus

"Seek not good from without: seek it from within yourselves, or you will never find it."
-Epictetus

"The good or ill of a man lies within his own will."
-Epictetus

"Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast."
-Epictetus in Food quotes.

"God has entrusted me with myself."
-Epictetus

"Only the educated are free."
-Epictetus

"What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are."
-Epictetus

"The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forebearing."
-Epictetus

"There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will."
-Epictetus