Quote

If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.

Epictetus

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Epictetus
Philosopher
Epictetus of Hierapolis
Begin
Desire
Believe
Good
Believing
Wicked
Philosophical

More quotes by Epictetus

Image
What is death? A scary mask. Take it off-see, it doesn't bite.
Epictetus
Image
Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.
Epictetus
Image
The materials are indifferent, but the use we make of them is not a matter of indifference.
Epictetus
Image
One of the best ways to elevate your character is to emulate worthy role models
Epictetus
Image
If someone irritates you, it is only your own response that is irritating you. Therefore, when anyone seems to be provoking you, remember that it is only your judgment of the incident that provokes you. -
Epictetus
Image
There is only one thing for which God has sent me into the world, and that is to develop every kind of virtue or strength, and there is nothing in all the world that I cannot use for this purpose.
Epictetus
Image
Make it your business to draw out the best in others by being an exemplar yourself.
Epictetus
Image
Focus not on what he or she does, but on keeping to your higher purpose. Your own purpose should seek harmony with nature itself. For this is the true road to freedom.
Epictetus
Image
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
Epictetus
Image
Some things are up to us [eph' hêmin] and some things are not up to us. Our opinions are up to us, and our impulses, desires, aversions–in short, whatever is our own doing. Our bodies are not up to us, nor are our possessions, our reputations, or our public offices, or, that is, whatever is not our own doing.
Epictetus
Image
Unless we place our religion and our treasure in the same thing, religion will always be sacrificed.
Epictetus
Image
Everything has two handles,-one by which it may be borne another by which it cannot.
Epictetus
Image
Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you and be silent.
Epictetus
Image
You lose only the things you have
Epictetus
Image
It is your own convictions which compels you that is, choice compels choice.
Epictetus
Image
The best place to get help is from yourself.
Epictetus
Image
Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.
Epictetus
Image
Never in any case say I have lost such a thing, but I have returned it. Is your child dead? It is a return. Is your wife dead? It is a return. Are you deprived of your estate? Is not this also a return?
Epictetus
Image
If what the philosophers say be true, that all men's actions proceed from one source that as they assent from a persuasion that a thing is so, and dissent from a persuasion that it is not, and suspend their judgment from a persuasion that it is uncertain, so likewise they seek a thing from a persuasion that it is for their advantage.
Epictetus
Image
Embrace reality. Think about what delights you - the small luxuries on which you depend, the people whom you cherish most. But remember that they have their own distinct character, which is quite a separate matter from how we happen to regard them.
Epictetus