Discourses

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

— Epictetus, Discourses

“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

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

— Epictetus, Discourses

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

— Epictetus, Discourses

“Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“Only the educated are free.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

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

— Epictetus, Discourses

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

— Epictetus, Discourses

“No man is free who is not master of himself.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“You become what you give your attention to.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“No great thing is created suddenly.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“If you wish to be a writer, write.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

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

— Epictetus, Discourses

“The true man is one who wants to be always at his best.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“If you want to be a philosopher, train yourself to be happy in everything.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“Remember that your ruling faculty is unassailable; for it is not subject to external events, nor can it be controlled by anything outside itself.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“Every habit and faculty is maintained and increased by the corresponding actions.”

— Epictetus, Discourses

“Do not look for an ideal man, but rather for an ideal action.”

— Epictetus, Discourses