Epictetus Quotes

But if we judge only those things which are in our power to be good or bad, there remains no reason either for finding fault with God or standing in a hostile attitude to man.

If you are pained by external things, it is not they that disturb you, but your own judgement of them. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgement now.

No one on earth can hurt you, unless you accept the hurt in your own mind. . . The problem is not other people; it is your reaction.

If all it takes is an angry stranger to ruin your day, what are you going to do if something really serious happens? Why give someone else control of your life like that?

But if anything in thy own dispositiongives thee pain, who hinders thee from correcting thy opinion? And even if thou art pained because thou art not doing some particular thing which seems to thee to be right, why dost thou not rather act than complain?- But some insuperable obstacle is in the way?- Do not be grieved then, for the cause of its not being done depends not on thee.- But it is not worth while to live if this cannot be done.- Take thy departure then from life contentedly, just as he dies who is in full activity, and well pleased too with the things which are obstacles.

Do what you can to do what you ought, and leave hoping and fearing alone.

If a man is unhappy, remember that his unhappiness is his own fault, for God made all men to be happy.

Freedom and happiness are won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.

You can bear anything if it is not your fault.

Live within; be not shaken by outward happenings.

If you would stop, really stop, damning yourself, others, and unkind conditions, you would find it almost impossible to upset yourself emotionally - about anything. Yes, anything.

Hurt feelings or discomfort of any kind cannot be cause by another person. No one outside me can hurt me. That’s not a possibility. It’s only when I believe a stressful thought that I get hurt. And I’m the one who’s hurting me by believing what I think. This is very good news, because it means that I don’t have to get someone else to stop hurting me. I’m the one who can stop hurting me. It’s within my power.

You are very easily exasperated, my dear. If you're a leaf trembling on a wide, deep river, relax and ride the current. It's always worked for me, I assure you.

And people are just people, They shouldn't make you nervous. The world is everlasting, It's coming and it's going.

You create a good future by creating a good present. How do you do that? By recognizing the goodness that is already inherent in the present moment, even in the midst of challenges. Discontent, blaming, complaining, self-pity cannot serve as a foundation for a good future, no matter how much effort you make.

Remember that no one can hurt you except yourself. If someone does a mean thing to you, that person is hurt. You are not really hurt unless you become embittered, or unless you become angry and perhaps do a mean thing in return.

He had discovered that people who allow themselves to be blown about by the winds of emotion and impulse are always unhappy people.

Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible.

It’s up to you, not fate. True. But it was also up to Lily. That was the trickiest part.

Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.

Do not let your peace depend on the hearts of men; whatever they say about you, good or bad, you are not because of it another man, for as you are, you are.

Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way.

If we feel inwardly strong, we will have no need or desire to speak ill of others.

You can make the best of it and be content, or you can complain, it makes no difference. What does it matter that human beings judge the things that exist?

It is not the temptations you have, but the decision you make about them that counts.