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First tell yourself what you want to be, then do what you need to do.

Epictetus

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Epictetus
Philosopher
Epictetus of Hierapolis
First
Needs
Tell
Firsts
Need

More quotes by Epictetus

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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.
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Men are not afraid of things, but of how they view them.
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Although we can't control which roles are assigned to us, it must be our business to act our given role as best we possibly can and to refrain from complaining about it. Where ever you find yourself and in whatever circumstances, give an impeccable performance.
Epictetus
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When the Idea, of any Pleasure strikes your Imagination... let that time be employed in making a just Computation between, the duration of the Pleasure, and that of the Repentance sure to follow it.
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Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don't talk how persons ought to eat, but eat as you ought. For remember that in this manner Socrates also universally avoided all ostentation.
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The origin of sorrow is this: to wish for something that does not come to pass.
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When we act pugnaciously, and injuriously, and angrily, and rudely, to what level have we degenerated? To the level of the wild beasts. Well, the fact is that some of us are wild beasts of a larger size, while others are little animals, malignant and petty.
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Happiness and personal fulfillment are the natural consequences of doing the right thing.
Epictetus
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Silence is safer than speech.
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Act your part with honor.
Epictetus
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Let thy speech of God be renewed day by day, aye, rather than thy meat and drink.
Epictetus
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If you wish to be good, first believe that you are bad.
Epictetus
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I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?
Epictetus
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Happiness is an equivalent for all troublesome things.
Epictetus
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There are some things which men confess with ease, and others with difficulty.
Epictetus
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Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.
Epictetus
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Confidence in nonsense is a requirement for the creative process.
Epictetus
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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.
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Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be or they neither are, nor appear to be or they are, and do not appear to be or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task.
Epictetus
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If you would be a reader, read if a writer, write.
Epictetus