"All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain."

Epictetus on Abstinence
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"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 on Adversity
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"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."

Epictetus on Affirmation
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"A strict belief, fate is the worst kind of slavery; on the other hand there is comfort in the thought that God will be moved by our prayers."

Epictetus on Destiny
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"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 on Destiny
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"Difficulties are things that show a person what they are."

Epictetus on Difficulties
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"Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty, God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil."

Epictetus on Difficulties
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"Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater."

Epictetus on Discipline
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"Only the educated are free."

Epictetus on Education
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"What will the world be quite overturned when you die?"

Epictetus on Egotism
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"For it is not death or hardship that is a fearful thing, but the fear of death and hardship."

Epictetus on Fear
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"No man is free who is not a master of himself."

Epictetus on Freedom
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"Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else."

Epictetus on Freedom
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"Freedom is the right to live as we wish."

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

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

Epictetus on Alcohol and Alcoholism
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"God hath entrusted me with myself."

Epictetus on God
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"No great thing is created suddenly."

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

Epictetus on Happiness
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"Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy, though he be master of the world."

Epictetus on Happiness
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"Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope."

Epictetus on Hope
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"It is not he who gives abuse that affronts, but the view that we take of it as insulting; so that when one provokes you it is your own opinion which is provoking."

Epictetus on Insults
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"Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly."

Epictetus on Knowledge
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"It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows."

Epictetus on Knowledge
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"Liars are the cause of all the sins and crimes in the world."

Epictetus on Lies and Lying
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"A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope."

Epictetus on Life and Living
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"You are a little soul carrying around a corpse."

Epictetus on Life and Living
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"Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit."

Epictetus on Anger
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"Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak."

Epictetus on Listening
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"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 on Losers and Losing
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"It is the sign of a dull mind to dwell upon the cares of the body, to prolong exercise, eating and drinking and other bodily functions. These things are best done by the way; all your attention must be given to the mind."

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

Epictetus on Opinions
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"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."

Epictetus on Patience
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"The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forbearing."

Epictetus on Patience
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"One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent."

Epictetus on Perfection
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"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 on Perseverance
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"If you set your heart upon philosophy, you must straightway prepare yourself to be laughed at and mocked by many who will say Behold a philosopher arisen among us! or How came you by that brow of scorn? But do you cherish no scorn, but hold to those things which seem to you the best, as one set by God in that place. Remember too, that if you abide in those ways, those who first mocked you, the same shall afterwards reverence you; but if you yield to them, you will be laughed at twice as much as before."

Epictetus on Philosophers and Philosophy
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"It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them."

Epictetus on Pleasure
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"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Epictetus on Attitude
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"Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens."

Epictetus on Power
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