It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
- EpictetusE
Epictetus
Epictetus (c. 50–135) was born a slave in Phrygia and spent part of his life enslaved in Rome before being freed and founding his own school of philosophy. He wrote nothing down; what survives was recorded by his student Arrian. His teaching reduces to one distinction — between what is in our power and what is not.
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
- EpictetusFirst say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
- EpictetusNo man is free who is not master of himself.
- EpictetusHe is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
- EpictetusOnly the educated are free.
- EpictetusMake the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
- EpictetusIf you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
- EpictetusDon't explain your philosophy. Embody it.
- EpictetusCircumstances don't make the man, they only reveal him to himself.
- Epictetus