Epictetus quotes, with sources
Former slave turned Stoic philosopher and influential teacher in Rome. Here are 12 short quotes by Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD), each with the work it comes from, drawn from 11 sources.
Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things…
Lameness is an impediment to the leg, but not to the will.
You may fetter my leg, but my will not even Zeus himself can overpower.
Not death is evil, but a shameful death.
Of things some are in our power, and others are not.
Disease is an impediment to the body, but not to the will.
Never say about anything, I have lost it, but say I have restored it.
Nothing great is produced suddenly, since not even the grape or the fig is.
Whatever any man shall say about you, do not attend to it.
Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish.
Wretch, you are carrying about a god with you, and you know it not.
It is the act of an ill-instructed man to blame others for his own bad condition.
Sources
- Discourses, Book I, Chapter 1 (‘Of the Things Which Are in Our Power and Not in Our Power’)
- Discourses, Book I, Chapter 15 (‘What Philosophy Promises’)
- Discourses, Book II, Chapter 7 (‘How We Ought to Use Divination’)
- Encheiridion (Enchiridion), Chapter V (tr. George Long, 1877)
- Enchiridion
- Enchiridion, Chapter I
- Enchiridion, Chapter IX
- Enchiridion, Chapter L
- Enchiridion, Chapter V
- Enchiridion, Chapter VIII
- Enchiridion, Chapter XI
Themes
Stoicism Wisdom Resilience Growth Calm Courage Focus Spiritual
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