Epictetus Quotes.
Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.
If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always an approach toward it.
Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power.
Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can’t control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.
Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.
Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.
No great thing is created suddenly.
If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.
You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.
Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.
One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.
He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.
The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.
Not every difficult and dangerous thing is suitable for training, but only that which is conducive to success in achieving the object of our effort.
Never in any case say I have lost such a thing, but I have returned it. Is your child dead? It is a return. Is your wife dead? It is a return. Are you deprived of your estate? Is not this also a return?
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig. I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.
