Quotes by Epictetus

So when the crisis is upon you remember that God like a trainer of wrestlers has matched you with a tough and stalwart antagonist... that you may prove a victor at the Great Games.

No great thing 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.

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

We are not troubled by things but by the opinion which we have of things.

Men are not influenced by things but by their thoughts about things.

On the occasion of every accident that befalls you ... inquire what power you have for turning it to use.

He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not but rejoices in what he has.

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired but by controlling the desire.

Bear and forbear.

First say to yourself what you would be and then do what you have to do.

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

No great thing is created suddenly.

It is no easy thing for a principle to become a mans own unless each day he maintains it and works it out in his life.

Do you know that disease and death must needs overtake us no matter what we are doing? ... What do you wish to be doing when it overtakes you? If you have anything better to be doing when you are so overtaken get to work on that.

All philosophy lies in two words sustain and abstain.

Here is the beginning of philosophy: a recognition of the conflicts between men a search for their cause a condemnation of mere opinion .. . and the discovery of a standard of judgement.

If you wish to live a life free from sorrow think of what is going to happen as if it had already happened.

Do you know that disease and death must needs overtake us no matter what we are doing? ... What do you wish to be doing when it overtakes you?... If you have anything better to be doing when you are so overtaken get to work on that.

Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired but by controlling that desire.

Ruin and recovery are both from within.