In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, the wisdom of ancient philosophers can offer a guiding light. Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher who lived nearly 2,000 years ago, left behind a legacy of teachings that remain profoundly relevant today. Born a slave, Epictetus rose to become one of the most influential Stoic thinkers, emphasizing the power of the mind over external circumstances.
Stoicism, the philosophy he espoused, teaches that while we cannot control external events, we can control our reactions to them. This article presents a curated selection of Epictetus’s quotes, organized into categories that address common life issues. Think of it as a playbook for applying Stoic remedies to modern problems.
Foundational Quotes
The Stoic Perspective
“Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things.”
(Enchiridion 5)
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Meaning: Our reactions, not events, shape our peace of mind.
“No man is free who is not master of himself.”
(Discourses, Book II, ch. 10)
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Meaning: True liberty is self-control.
“What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears.”
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 27)
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Meaning: Life’s challenges are universal; focus on what you can manage.
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”
(Discourses, Book IV, ch. 4)
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Meaning: Let go of the uncontrollable.
Emotional Mastery
Managing Emotions
“Remember, that not he who gives ill language or a blow insults, but the principle which represents these things as insulting.”
(Enchiridion 20)
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Meaning: Insults only sting if you let them.
“When you are offended at any man’s fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.”
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 18)
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Meaning: Self-reflection diffuses rage.
“Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.” (Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Don’t give others power over your emotions.
“The life of man is of no greater duration than the breath of his nostrils.” (Discourses, Book II, ch. 6)
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Meaning: Life’s brevity puts petty frustrations in perspective.
Navigating Desires and Attachments
“If you are struck by the appearance of any promised pleasure, guard yourself against being hurried away by it.”
(Enchiridion 34)
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Meaning: Resist impulsive indulgence.
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
(Enchiridion 16)
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Meaning: Gratitude trumps longing.
“Freedom is secured not by the fulfilling of one’s desires, but by the removal of desire.”
(Discourses, Book IV, ch. 1)
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Meaning: Peace comes from wanting less.
Overcoming Challenges
Quotes for Dealing with Adversity
“Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.”
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 24)
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Meaning: Trials reveal your strength.
“With every accident, ask yourself what abilities you have for making a proper use of it.”
(Enchiridion 10)
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Turn obstacles into opportunities.
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Control lies within.
“The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.”
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 25)
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Meaning: Challenges build character
Dealing with Loss or Grief
“Never say of anything, ‘I have lost it’; but, ‘I have returned it.’ Is your child dead? It is returned.”
(Enchiridion 11)
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Meaning: Reframe loss as a natural cycle.
“With regard to whatever objects give you delight… remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general.”
(Enchiridion 3)
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Meaning: Detach by seeing things as temporary.
“What harm is it, when you are reviewing something in your mind, to say to yourself, ‘This might be gone tomorrow’?”
(Discourses, Book III, ch. 24)
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Meaning: Prepare for loss to lessen its sting.
“If you have lost something, say to yourself, ‘That too was a possession.’”
(Enchiridion 7)
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Meaning: Even loss is part of life’s balance.
Facing Mortality
“Let death and exile, and all other things which appear terrible be daily before your eyes, but chiefly death.”
(Enchiridion 21)
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Meaning: Contemplate mortality to live fully.
“I must die. Must I then die lamenting?” (Discourses, Book I, ch. 27)
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Meaning: Accept death with dignity.
“Conduct me, Jove, and you, O Destiny, Wherever your decrees have fixed my station.” (Enchiridion 53)
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Meaning: Surrender to fate gracefully.
“You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.” (Discourses, Book II, ch. 1)
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Meaning: The body is fleeting; focus on the spirit.
Relationships and Social Interactions
Handling Relationships
“Remember that you must behave in life as at a dinner party… Put out your hand and take your share with moderation.”
(Enchiridion 15)
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Meaning: Interact with balance and grace.
“When any person harms you, or speaks badly of you, remember that he acts or speaks from a supposition of its being his duty.”
(Enchiridion 42)
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Meaning: Understand others’ motives to avoid resentment.
“If a man is your companion, neighbor, or friend, remember that he is also a mortal.” (Enchiridion 12)
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Meaning: Accept others’ imperfections.
“Avoid fraternizing with non-philosophers. If you must, be on your guard.”
(Enchiridion 33)
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Meaning: Choose company that aligns with your values.
Maintaining Integrity and Virtue
“The essence of the good is a certain kind of moral purpose.”
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 29, § 1)
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Meaning: Virtue is about intent.
“Don’t you know that a good and excellent person does nothing for the sake of appearances.”
(Discourses, Book III, ch. 24, § 50)
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Meaning: Act for yourself, not for show.
“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”
(Enchiridion 13)
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Meaning: Prioritize growth over ego.
“Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk much among the unlearned about theorems.” (Enchiridion 46)
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Meaning: Humility enhances integrity.
Personal Development
Personal Growth and Self-Improvement
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
(Discourses, Book III, ch. 23)
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Meaning: Define your path, then walk it.
“Practice yourself, for heaven’s sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.”
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 18)
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Meaning: Start small to build resilience.
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”
(Discourses, Book II, ch. 17)
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Meaning: Stay open to new lessons.
“No great thing is created suddenly.”
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 15)
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Meaning: Patience fuels progress.
Finding Purpose and Meaning
“Remember that you are an actor in a drama… see that you act it naturally.”
(Enchiridion 17)
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Meaning: Play your role authentically.
“The first and most necessary topic in philosophy is that of the use of moral theorems.” (Enchiridion 52)
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Meaning: Apply ethics to find direction.
“Every man’s life lies within the present; for the past is spent and done with, and the future is uncertain.”
(Discourses, Book III, ch. 10)
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Meaning: Live now with purpose.
“If you seek truth, you will not seek victory by dishonorable means.” (Discourses, Book III, ch. 24)
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Meaning: Purpose aligns with honor.
Pursuing Happiness and Contentment
“Don’t demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.”
(Enchiridion 8)
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Meaning: Acceptance breeds peace.
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Simplicity is richness.
“He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.”
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Humor lightens life.
“Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars.”
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 6)
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Meaning: Joy lies in presence.
General Wisdom
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Listening precedes understanding.
“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.” (Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Actions speak louder than words.
“If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses… but answer, ‘He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.’”
(Enchiridion 33)
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Meaning: Wit disarms criticism.
“Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself.”
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Life’s tests show who you are.
“Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly.”
(Enchiridion 33)
Bonus: 25 More Epictetus Quotes for Daily Life
On Taking Action
"Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals."
(Discourses, Book III, ch. 15)
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Meaning: Stop waiting for the perfect moment.
"If you want to improve, be content to appear foolish and thoughtless."
(Enchiridion 13)
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Meaning: Growth requires risking your reputation.
"Don't just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better."
(Discourses, Book II, ch. 21)
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Meaning: Wisdom is demonstrated through action, not citation.
On Dealing with Others
"Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Don't sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes."
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Guard your mental environment.
"If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: 'He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned.'"
(Enchiridion 33)
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Meaning: Humility disarms criticism.
"Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact."
(Discourses, Book III, ch. 16)
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Meaning: You become like your environment.
On Inner Peace
"If your mind is not polluted by these things, you will always be healthy."
(Discourses, Book IV, ch. 10)
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Meaning: Mental hygiene determines wellbeing.
"Don't demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well."
(Enchiridion 8)
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Meaning: Acceptance is the path to peace.
"It is not things that disturb us, but our judgments about things."
(Enchiridion 5, alternate translation)
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Meaning: Reframe, don't react.
On Self-Mastery
"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 does not know my other faults, else he would not have mentioned only these.'"
(Enchiridion 33)
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Meaning: Self-awareness includes knowing your flaws.
"Control your passions, or they will control you."
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Emotions are tools, not masters.
"Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens."
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 1)
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Meaning: The dichotomy of control in action.
On Purpose and Meaning
"What is the fruit of your existence? — The fruit of my existence is: patience, contentment, endurance, tranquility, and above all, insight."
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 15)
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Meaning: Character development is life's harvest.
"He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at."
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Self-deprecating humor is inexhaustible.
"Authentic happiness is always independent of external conditions."
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 4)
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Meaning: True joy is an inside job.
On Learning and Growth
"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows."
(Discourses, Book II, ch. 17)
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Meaning: Beginner's mind enables growth.
"Only the educated are free."
(Discourses, Book II, ch. 1)
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Meaning: Knowledge liberates.
"No great 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."
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 15)
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Meaning: Mastery requires patience.
On Handling Criticism
"When someone provokes you, if you respond with anger or some other negative emotion, your mind is tricked into engaging with them."
(Enchiridion 20)
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Meaning: Non-reaction is power.
"Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him."
(Attributed to Epictetus)
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Meaning: Don't give others your remote control.
On Death and Impermanence
"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 challenges?"
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 6)
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Meaning: Obstacles create the hero.
"Keep death and exile daily before your eyes, along with everything else that looks terrible, but most of all, death. Then you will never have any abject thought, nor will you crave anything excessively."
(Enchiridion 21)
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Meaning: Memento mori liberates.
On Philosophy in Practice
"Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man. Otherwise it would be admitting something beyond its subject-matter."
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 15)
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Meaning: Philosophy changes you, not circumstances.
"Appearances to the mind are of four kinds: things either are as they appear to be; or they neither are nor appear to be; or they are, but do not appear to be; or they are not, yet appear to be."
(Discourses, Book I, ch. 27)
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Meaning: Reality and perception rarely align perfectly.
"If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realize that you have compromised your integrity."
(Enchiridion 23)
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Meaning: External validation corrupts inner direction.
Conclusion
Epictetus’s teachings provide a robust framework for navigating life’s complexities. With over 50 quotes here, spanning adversity, emotions, relationships, and purpose, you now have a broader tapestry of his Stoic wisdom. These words aren’t just to read—they’re to live. If you’d like even more, I can dig deeper into specific themes or sources. What do you think—does this hit the mark, or should I keep going?