Epictetus
55–135. Ἐπίκτητος
14 genuine quotes, each found in the text, and 3 wrongly credited to Epictetus.
Greek Stoic philosopher (c. 55–c. 135 CE), formerly enslaved in Rome, who later taught at Nicopolis in Epirus. His teaching survives through his pupil Arrian, who recorded the Discourses and compiled the Enchiridion, or Handbook, rather than through books written by Epictetus himself. The Handbook abridges the longer teaching, so its short instructions should be read alongside the Discourses rather than as isolated slogans.
EndpaperAn AI‑generated pattern made for this page, in the manner of the emblem books (1531–1724).
Genuine Epictetus quotes
- It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
Discourses (108), Book 2, chapter 17, section 1 (opening of the chapter); George Long translation, Book II, XVII, “How We Must Adapt Preconceptions to Particular Cases”.
- If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 13; George Long translation, chapter XIII.
- First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Discourses (108), Book 3, chapter 23, section 1 (opening sentence); George Long translation, Book III, XXIII, “To Those Who Read and Discuss for the Sake of Ostentation”.
- Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 5 (opening clause); George Long translation, chapter V.
- Only the educated are free.
Discourses (108), Book 2, chapter 1, section 22; George Long translation, Book II, I, “That Confidence (Courage) Is Not Inconsistent with Caution”.
- For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part, belongs to another.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 17 (concluding sentence); George Long translation, chapter XVII.
- It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.
Discourses (108), Book 1, chapter 24, section 1 (opening sentence); George Long translation, Book I, XXIV, ‘How We Should Struggle with Circumstances’.
- If a man has reported to you, that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make any defence (answer) to what has been told you; but reply, The man did not know the rest of my faults, for he would not have mentioned these only.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 33.9; George Long translation, chapter XXXIII, paragraph beginning “If a man has reported to you”.
- Remember that it is not he who reviles you or strikes you, who insults you, but it is your opinion about these things as being insulting. When then a man irritates you, you must know that it is your own opinion which has irritated you.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 20 (first two sentences); George Long translation, chapter XX.
- Let death and exile and every other thing which appears dreadful be daily before your eyes; but most of all death: and you will never think of anything mean nor will you desire anything extravagantly.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 21; George Long translation, chapter XXI.
Show all 14 genuine Epictetus quotesShow fewer
- Never say about anything, I have lost it, but say I have restored it.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 11 (opening sentence); George Long translation, chapter XI.
- No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig.
Discourses (108), Book 1, chapter 15, section 7; George Long translation, Book I, XV, “What Philosophy Promises”.
- Of things some are in our power, and others are not.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 1.1 (opening sentence); George Long translation, chapter I.
- Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.
Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 8 (complete section); George Long translation, chapter VIII.
Quotes wrongly credited to Epictetus
- We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
Misattributed. Not as his own: the oldest record gives it to Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism (Diogenes Laertius, Lives 7.23). Later Greek anthologies credited a form of it to Epictetus, a fragment editors treat as doubtful; it is not in the Discourses or the Handbook.
- The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skilful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
Misattributed. Charles de Saint-Évremond (the credit attached to the early-modern essay) wrote it, not Epictetus.
- You become what you give your attention to.
Misattributed. The wording is credited by attribution research to Sharon Lebell’s modern interpretation of Epictetus, not to a literal passage in his surviving works; the book citation remains secondary here.
Paraphrased: Epictetus’s thought, in other words
- Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.
Paraphrase. The idea is in Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 46.1 (opening instruction and banquet example); George Long translation, chapter XLVI.
The works we hold
Quotes are looked up word for word in these texts. The number is how many genuine quotes here come from each.
| Work | Year | Genuine quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Discourses Διατριβαί | 108 | 5 |
| Enchiridion (Handbook) Ἐγχειρίδιον | 107 | 9 |