Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Epictetus (Ancient Greek Philosopher)

Epictētus (c.55 CE–c.135 CE) was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was the most influential teacher of Stoicism of his time. He believed that one should concern oneself only with what one can control and suffer what one cannot influence.

Born a slave in Hierapolis, Asia Minor, Epictētus was lame from an early age, possibly from brutal treatment received while he was a slave. He is said to have endured his master’s physical abuse without complaint, treating his body merely as a garment.

Epictētus came to Rome early in life and studied under the Stoic philosopher Gaius Musonius Rufus. Epictētus was freed after Emperor Nero’s death. Like other philosophers who were critical of the tyranny of Emperor Domitian, Epictētus, got expelled from Rome around 89 CE.

Epictētus settled in Nicopolis in northwestern Greece. He was extremely popular, respected, and lived a life of the utmost simplicity, following Stoic doctrine. His reputation attracted people from all over the Roman world—disciples who came to hear him included Emperor Hadrian and a future historian by the name Flavius Arrian. Arrian became Epictētus’s pupil and recorded four books of his lectures as Discourses. Arrian also produced a synoptic version of Epictētus’s primary teaching called the Manual.

Epictētus’s philosophical and religious beliefs are a combination of Stoicism and Cynicism. They emphasize the universal unity of man, submissiveness, humility, and charity. They also assert the ability and duty of a person to mold his or her character in the effort to achieve self-control and independence of external circumstances.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Epictetus

God hath entrusted me with myself.
—Epictetus
Topics: Responsibility, God, Religion, Self-reliance

As in walking it is your great care not to run your foot upon a nail, or to tread awry, and strain your leg; so let it be in all the affairs of human life, not to hurt your mind or offend your judgment. And this rule, if observed carefully in all your deportment, will be a mighty security to you in your undertakings.
—Epictetus
Topics: Judgment

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

It takes more than just a good looking body. You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with it.
—Epictetus
Topics: Man, The Body, Mankind, Body

He is a drunkard who takes more than three glasses though he be not drunk.
—Epictetus
Topics: Alcoholism, Drunkenness, Alcohol

In prosperity it is very easy to find a friend; in adversity, nothing is so difficult.
—Epictetus
Topics: Friendship

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
—Epictetus
Topics: Philosophy

We are not to lead events, but follow them.
—Epictetus

Men are not influenced by things, but by their thoughts about things.
—Epictetus
Topics: Thought

Your master is he who controls that on which you have set your heart or wish to avoid.
—Epictetus
Topics: Love

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. Yet without toil or sweat this may not be.
—Epictetus
Topics: Religion

What will the world be quite overturned when you die?
—Epictetus
Topics: Egotism, Ego

Let death be daily before your eyes, and you will never entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet anything.
—Epictetus
Topics: Death, Dying

The soul’s impurity consists in bad judgments, and purification consists in producing in it right judgments, and the pure soul is one which has right judgments.
—Epictetus
Topics: Soul

For it is not death or hardship that is a fearful thing, but the fear of death and hardship.
—Epictetus
Topics: Fear

Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.
—Epictetus
Topics: Fashion, Knowledge, Dress

Ask not that events should happen as you will, but let your will be that events should happen as they do, and you shall have peace.
—Epictetus
Topics: Acceptance

He who exercises wisdom exercises the knowledge which is about God.
—Epictetus
Topics: Wisdom

Fortune is an evil chain to the body, and vice to the soul.
—Epictetus
Topics: Fortune

What ought one to say then as each hardship comes? “I was practicing for this, I was training for this.”
—Epictetus

It is difficulties that show what men are.
—Epictetus
Topics: One liners, Men, Difficulty

If you are told that such an one speaks ill of you, make no defense against what was said, but answer, “He surely knew not my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these only!”
—Epictetus
Topics: Gossip, Slander

Shall I show you the sinews of a philosopher? “What sinews are those?”—A will undisappointed; evils avoided; powers daily exercised; careful resolutions; unerring decisions.
—Epictetus
Topics: Power, Wisdom

We do not choose our own parts in life, and have nothing to do with those parts. Our duty is confined to playing them well.
—Epictetus
Topics: Life

What ought one to say then as each hardship comes? “I was practicing for this, I was training for this.”
—Epictetus

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

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.
—Epictetus
Topics: Critics, Criticism

To adorn our characters by the charm of an amiable nature shows at once a lover of beauty and a lover of man.
—Epictetus
Topics: Kindness

Practice yourself, for heaven’s sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.
—Epictetus
Topics: One Step at a Time, Action, Discipline

It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he think he knows.
—Epictetus
Topics: Learning

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