Epictetus

Stoic philosopher, former slave

Ancient influential 203 sayings

Sayings by Epictetus

Seek not to have things happen as you wish, but wish things to happen as they do, and you will have peace.

c. 108 AD — Enchiridion, Chapter 8
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If you want to be rich, do not add to your possessions but subtract from your desires.

c. 108 AD — Discourses, Book IV, Chapter 9
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Control your perceptions. Direct your actions properly. Accept what is outside your control. Willingly do what needs to be done.

c. 108 AD (approximate) — This is a modern summary of core Stoic principles, not a single direct quote from Epictetus.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Remember that if you are doing something for your own good, you must not be ashamed of it, even if the mob is going to misinterpret it.

c. 108 AD — Enchiridion, Chapter 35
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

135 — From 'Enchiridion'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them.

135 — From 'Enchiridion'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Circumstances do not rise to meet our expectations. Events happen as they do. People behave as they are. Embrace what you actually get.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Difficulties are things that show what men are.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.

108 — From 'Discourses'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed