Epictetus Quotes

Reason is not measured by size or height but by principle.

Difficulties are things that show what men are.

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.

If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, “He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone”.

Any one thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence to an humble and grateful mind.

Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.

The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing.

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

One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.

Only the educated are free.

He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.

Try not to react merely in the moment. Pull back from the situation. Take a wider view. Compose yourself.

Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.

Don't seek for everything to happen as you wish it would, but rather wish that everything happens as it actually will – then your life will flow well.

You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.

Forgiveness is better than revenge, for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge is the sign of a savage nature.

We tell lies, yet it is easy to show that lying is immoral.

Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.

Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.

Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.