770 Quotes by Epictetus

Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man, otherwise it would be admitting something that lies beyond its proper subject-matter. For as the material of the carpenter is wood, and that of statuary bronze, so the subject-matter of the art of living is each person's own life.

Philosophy does not claim to secure for us anything outside our control. Otherwise it would be taking on matters that do not concern it. For as wood is the material of the carpenter, and marble that of the sculptor, so the subject matter of the art of life is the life of the self.

It is more necessary for the soul to be cured than the body; for it is better to die than to live badly.

Whoever then has knowledge of good things, would know how to love them; but how could one who cannot distinguish good things from evil and things indifferent from both have power to love?

Tell us your secrets.’ [23] ‘I refuse, as this is up to me.’ ‘I will put you in chains.’ ‘What’s that you say, friend? It’s only my leg you will chain, not even God can conquer my will.’ [24] ‘I will throw you into prison.’ ‘Correction – it is my body you will throw there.’ ‘I will behead you.’ ‘Well, when did I ever claim that mine was the only neck that couldn’t be severed?

For I am not everlasting, but a human being, a part of the whole as an hour is a part of the day. Like an hour I must come, and like an hour pass away.

You can be invincible, if you enter into no contest in which it is not in your power to conquer.

Let death and exile and every other thing which appears dreadful be daily before your eyes; but most of all death: and you will never think of anything mean nor will you desire anything extravagantly.

When you are alone, you should call this tranquility and freedom and when you are with many you shouldn’t call this a crowd, or trouble or uneasiness but festival and company and contentedly accept it.