“For in this Case, we are not to give Credit to the Many, who say, that none ought to be educated but the Free; but rather to the Philosophers, who say, that the Well-educated alone are free.”
Author detail
Epictetus (c. 55 – 135 AD) was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey) and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece for the rest of his life. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his *Discourses* and *Enchiridion*. **Source**: [Epictetus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus) on Wikipedia.
Quotes
Showing 41-60 of 107
“For in this Case, we are not to give Credit to the Many, who say, that none ought to be educated but the Free; but rather to the Philosophers, who say, that the Well-educated alone are free.”
“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 mar...”
“What would have become of Hercules do you think if there had been no lion, hydra, stag or boar - and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such c...”
“Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don’t talk how persons ought to eat, but...”
“He who exercises wisdom, exercises the knowledge which is about God.”
“Is it not the same distance to God everywhere?”
“It is much better to die of hunger unhindered by grief and fear than to live affluently beset with worry, dread, suspicion and unchecked desire.”
“I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and content...”
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power or our will.”
“Concerning the Gods, there are those who deny the very existence of the Godhead; others say that it exists, but neither bestirs nor concerns itself not has forethought far anything. A third...”
“If you wish to be a writer, write.”
“The condition and characteristic of an uninstructed person is this: he never expects from himself profit (advantage) nor harm, but from externals. The condition and characteristic of a philo...”
“You only have to doze a moment, and all is lost. For ruin and salvation both have their source inside you.”
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into pract...”
“No greater 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 fr...”
“Only the educated are free.”
“Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them.”
“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.”