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

“Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man, otherwise it would be admitting something that lies beyond its proper subject-matter. For as the material of the carpenter is wood, and that of statuary bronze, so the subject-matter of the art of living is each person's own life.”

“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”

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

“An ignorant person is inclined to blame others for his own misfortune. To blame oneself is proof of progress. But the wise man never has to blame another or himself.”

“God save me from fools with a little philosophy—no one is more difficult to reach.”

“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.”

“What do we any of us have but our illusions? And what do we ask of others but that we be allowed to keep them?”

“Whenever ego suffers from fear of death & your practice turns to seeing impermanence, ego settles down.”

“Spirituality is not separate or above nature—the spiritual is the natural. Spiritual practice consists in communing with the living intelligences perceived to be indwelling in nature, with conscious respect and reverence.”

“All are fools and fooled, but no one is completely a fool.”

“Being under stress is like being stranded in a body of water. If you panic, it will cause you to flail around so that the water rushes into your lungs and creates further distress. Yet, by calmly collecting yourself and using controlled breathing you remain afloat with ease.”

“Admitting your mistakes doesn’t make you smaller, it makes you fair.”