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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

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Epictetus
Philosopher
Epictetus of Hierapolis
Opinion
Opinions
Public
Impulse
Whatever
Desires
Aversions
Desire
Reputation
Reputations
Body
Bodies
Offices
Things
Possession
Aversion
Short
Impulses
Office
Possessions

More quotes by Epictetus

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We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character.
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It is difficulties that show what men are. For the future, in case of any difficulty, remember that God, like a gymnastic trainer, has pitted you against a rough antagonist. For what end? That you may be an Olympic conqueror and this cannot be without toil.
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Truth is a thing immortal and perpetual, and it gives to us a beauty that fades not away in time, nor does it take away the freedom of speech which proceeds from justice but it gives to us the knowledge of what is just and lawful, separating from them the unjust and refuting them.
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In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taughtbut in life there are many things to draw us aside.
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Any person capable of angering you becomes your master he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.
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Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.
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I am always content with what happens for I know that what God chooses is better than what I choose.
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The pleasure which we most rarely experience gives us greatest delight.
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Men are not troubled by things themselves, but by their thoughts about them
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You bear God within you, poor wretch, and know it not.
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Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions.
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Pain or pleasure? I say pleasure.
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Let thy speech of God be renewed day by day, aye, rather than thy meat and drink.
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We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
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Freedom and slavery, the one is the name of virtue, and the other of vice, and both are acts of the will.
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As it is pleasant to see the sea from the land, so it is pleasant for him who has escaped from troubles to think of them.
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What disturbs people's minds are not events but their judgments on events.
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The essence of good and evil is a certain disposition of the will.
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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.
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Not things, but opinions about things, trouble men.
Epictetus