Philosophy Quote by Epictetus — Inspiring Words on Life, Love & Wisdom

“If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.”

““First say to yourself what you would be;”

“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.”

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

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

“Whoever is going to listen to the philosophers needs a considerable practice in listening.”

“For the former, activity, any kind of activity, was an end in itself; for the latter, activity was but a progress toward the true end, which was rest, and peace of mind. Action was to be undertaken only when equilibrium was disturbed.”

“People say everybody has a book inside them, so why not make your life a great story?”

“O principal é não mentir. Quem mente para si mesmo e dá ouvido à sua própria mentira chega a tal extremo que não consegue ver nenhuma verdade em si ou naqueles que o rodeiam e, por conseguinte, perde completamente o respeito por si e pelos outros. (...) Quem mente a si próprio pode ser o primeiro a ofender-se. Às vezes, é tão agradável uma pessoa se ofender, não é verdade? O indivíduo sabe que ninguém o injuriou, que tudo não passa de simples invenção, que ele próprio mentiu e exagerou apenas para criar um quadro, para fazer de um grão uma montanha - sabe tudo e, no entanto, se ofende. Ofende-se a ponto se sentir prazer na ofensa e, desse modo, atinge o verdadeiro ódio...”

“Is beauty enhanced or adulterated by utility?”

“Real change is slow, hard, and imperceptible.”