“Control thy passions lest they take vengence on thee. ~ Epictetus”

“Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, “He who is content.”

“To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. Individuals, however, are responsible for their own actions which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power. As part of the universal city that is the universe, human beings have a duty of care to all fellow humans. The person who followed these precepts would achieve happiness.”

“When a youth was giving himself airs in the Theatre and saying, 'I am wise, for I have conversed with many wise men,' Epictetus replied, 'I too have conversed with many rich men, yet I am not rich!’.”

“If evil be said of thee, and if it be true, correct thyself; if it be a lie, laugh at it.”

“Remind thyself that he whom thou lovest is mortal — that whatthou lovest is not thine own; it is given thee for the present, notirrevocably nor for ever, but even as a fig or a bunch of grapes atthe appointed season of the year”

“Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.”