Meaningful & Inspirational Quotes by Epictetus

Epictetus’s Most Inspirational Quotes

A collection of beautiful and Inspirational Quotes by Epictetus, this article we look at Epictetus’s most inspiring quotes. Quotes often give context; they can mean different things to different people, here you will find some of the best quotes by Epictetus.

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
Epictetus

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.

Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems
Epictetus

Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
Epictetus

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.

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

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

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

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

If anyone is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault… Nothing else is the cause of anxiety or loss of tranquility except our own opinion.
Epictetus

If anyone is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault… Nothing else is the cause of anxiety or loss of tranquility except our own opinion.

Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.
Epictetus

Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.

We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.
Epictetus

We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.

No great thing is created suddenly.
Epictetus

Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.
Epictetus Epictetus

Consider first the nature of the business in hand; then examine thy own nature, whether thou hast strength to undertake it.

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?
Epictetus

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 greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
Epictetus

The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.

Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.
Epictetus

Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.

It takes more than just a good looking body. You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with it.
Epictetus

It takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it.

Seek not good from without; seek it within yourselves, or you will never find it.
Epictetus

Seek not good from without; seek it within yourselves, or you will never find it.

Anything worth putting off is worth abandoning altogether.
Epictetus

Anything worth putting off is worth abandoning altogether.

No greater 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.
Epictetus

No greater 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.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
Epictetus

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

At this time is freedom anything but the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.
Epictetus

At this time is freedom anything but the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.

Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
Epictetus

Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.

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

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

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

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.

Nature hath given men one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.
Epictetus

Nature hath given men one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.

Only the educated are free.
Epictetus

Quote to Inspire by Epictetus

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