Epictetus Quotes @Quotio

"Epictetus" was a Ancient Greece/Greek Stoicism/Stoic Philosophy/philosopher. He was born a Slavery in ancient Greece/slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey), and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in north-western Greece for the rest of his life. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses of Epictetus/Discourses.

Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all external events are determined by Destiny/fate, and are thus beyond our control; we should accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. However, individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline.

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It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.
Epictetus

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

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

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

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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

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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

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Only the educated are free.
Epictetus

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
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Control thy passions, lest they take vengeance on thee.
Epictetus

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

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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

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