Epictetus Quotes & Sayings (Page 2)

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”

“People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.”

“The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.”

“Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant.”

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

“Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.”

“No greater thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.”

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

“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.”

“Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly.”