Epictetus Quotes
A Stoic philosopher born into slavery who taught that freedom is a state of mind. His handbook, the Enchiridion, remains a guide to resilience and self-command. Below are 15 of the most loved Epictetus quotes, chosen from across their works and letters. Tap Copy on any quote to save or share it.
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
If you want things to be good, you must practice them.
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are.
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.
He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
Only the educated are free.
Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.
No man is free who is not master of himself.
No person is your friend if he demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.