Tag Archives: Epictetus

Only the educated are free.

Only the educated are free – Epictetus What does that mean? This is an interesting quote from a person born a slave and with the permission of his owner, studied philosophy and became quite good at it. Back then, slaves … Continue reading

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To you all you have appears small; to me all I have appears great.

To you all you have appears small; to me all I have appears great. – Epictetus What does that mean? This is an interesting quote, as he was born a Roman slave. He learned from an early age that he … Continue reading

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Silence is safer than speech.

Silence is safer than speech. – Epictetus What does that mean? The longer version of the quote says “Silence is safer than speech; refrain from saying what shall be void of sense and open to blame.” Speaking when no speech … Continue reading

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What does it mean to be slandered? Stand by a stone and slander it. If a man listens like a stone, what effect has the slanderer?

What does it mean to be slandered? Stand by a stone and slander it. If a man listens like a stone, what effect has the slanderer? – Epictetus What does that mean? This quote is part of a longer discussion … Continue reading

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If you wish to be a writer, write.

If you wish to be a writer, write. – Epictetus What does that mean? While it is usually hard to find these quotes, I have managed to find a precise source for this quote of Epictetus. It is in his … Continue reading

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It takes more than just a good looking body. You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with it.

It takes more than just a good looking body. You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with it. – Epictetus What does that mean? He might have had an ulterior motive for this quote, presuming he actually … Continue reading

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No person is free who is not master of himself.

No person is free who is not master of himself. – Pythagoras What does that mean? This quote is usually attributed to Epictetus, but found in works attributed to Pythagoras, and stated as: “None can be free who is a … Continue reading

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It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.

It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows. – Epictetus What does that mean? As is common with the limits on length on Twitter, the quote loses a little flavor from being shortened. The … Continue reading

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

If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked. – Epictetus What does that mean? This is an interesting way of putting forward the question. How would you find ways to become better if you didn’t think you … Continue reading

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If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid. – Epictetus What does that mean? I like this quote, because I have lived it so many times. While we can learn a lot from books, the internet, and … Continue reading

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Control thy passions lest they take vengeance on thee.

Control thy passions lest they take vengeance on thee. – Epictetus What does that mean? This quote is about passions and how too much of a good thing can be a real problem for some people. The quote urges us to … Continue reading

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It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting.

It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting. – Epictetus What does that mean? I like this quote. It has an interesting perspective on things, and that is … Continue reading

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If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it. – Epictetus What does that mean? This is a classic of introspection. It says that people will speak ill of you. … Continue reading

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We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. – Epictetus What does that mean? Somehow, I imagine this was an old saying before Epictetus latched on to it. It certainly survives … Continue reading

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Practice yourself, for heaven’s sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.

Practice yourself, for heaven’s sake in little things, and then proceed to greater. – Epictetus What does that mean? This quote is also stated in a slightly older English, but with better punctuation (see 2nd link at bottom of this … Continue reading

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