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
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
We do not choose our own parts in life, and have nothing to do with selecting those parts. Our simple duty is confined to playing them well.
—Epictetus
Topics: Duty
To accuse others for one’s own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one’s education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one’s education is complete.
—Epictetus
Topics: Education, Adversity
It is no easy thing for a principle to become a man’s own unless each day he maintains it and works it out in his life.
—Epictetus
Topics: Value of Time, Time Management
We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.
—Epictetus
Topics: Perception, Attitude
Be not swept off your feet by the vividness of the impression, but say, “Impression, wait for me a little. Let me see what you are and what you represent. Let me try you”.
—Epictetus
Topics: Patience, Wisdom
What will the world be quite overturned when you die?
—Epictetus
Topics: Ego, Egotism
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
Topics: Learning, Philosophy, Creativity, Knowledge, Business, Wisdom
It is better to advise than upbraid, for the one corrects the erring; the other only convicts them.
—Epictetus
Topics: Advice
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
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
—Epictetus
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
Covetousness like jealousy, when it has taken root, never leaves a person, but with their life. Cowardice is the dread of what will happen.
—Epictetus
Topics: Coward, Cowardice
If you wish to be a good reader—read.
—Epictetus
Topics: Reading
It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he think he knows.
—Epictetus
Topics: Learning
There is only one way to happiness and
that is to cease worrying about things
which are beyond the power of our will.
—Epictetus
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
—Epictetus
Topics: Virtues, Appreciation, Gratitude, Wisdom, Satisfaction, Blessings
Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.
—Epictetus
Topics: Hope
There is nothing good or evil save in the will.
—Epictetus
Topics: Will, One liners
It is your own convictions which compels you; that is, choice compels choice.
—Epictetus
Topics: Choice, Choices
Envy is the antagonist of the fortunate.
—Epictetus
Topics: Envy
If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.
—Epictetus
Topics: Criticism, Critics
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
It is our attitude toward events, not events themselves, which we can control. Nothing is by its own nature calamitous-even death is terrible only if we fear it.
—Epictetus
Topics: Fear
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
The universe is but one great city, full of beloved ones, divine and human, by nature endeared to each other.
—Epictetus
Topics: Humanity
In the schools of the wrestling master, when a boy falls he is bidden to get up again, and to go on wrestling day by day till he has acquired strength; and we must do the same, and not after one failure suffer ourselves to be swept along as by a torrent. You need but will, and it is done; but if you relax your efforts you will be ruined; for ruin and recovery are both from within.
—Epictetus
Topics: Confidence, Self-reliance, Will
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
Try to enjoy the great festival of life with other men.
—Epictetus
Topics: Life
Remember that you are an actor in a drama, of such a part as it may please the master to assign you, for a long time or for a little as he may choose. And if he will you to take the part of a poor man, or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen, then may you act that part with grace! For to act well the part that is allotted to us, that indeed is ours to do, but to choose it is another s.
—Epictetus
Topics: Choice, Destiny
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