Reading Epictetus

A man’s master is he who is able to confer or remove whatever that man seeks or shuns.

The will of nature may be learned from things upon which we are all agreed.

Now the things within our power are by nature free, unrestricted, unhindered; but those beyond our power are weak, dependent, restricted, alien.

Do not desire to be thought to know anything; and though you should appear to others to be somebody, distrust yourself.

You can be unconquerable if you enter into no combat in which it is not in your own power to conquer.

You must cultivate either your own reason or else externals; apply yourself either to things within or without you—that is, be either a philosopher or one of the mob.

To understand nature, and follow her.

Therefore, at the same time that we lie, we are very ready to show how it is demonstrated that lying is wrong.

It is the action of an uninstructed person to reproach others for his own misfortunes; of one entering upon instruction, to reproach himself; and one perfectly instructed, to reproach neither others nor himself.

Do not yearn in desire toward it, but wait till it reaches you.

Be content, then, in everything, with being a philosopher; and if you wish to seem so likewise to anyone, appear so to yourself, and it will suffice you.

It is enough if everyone fully performs his own proper business.

Consider first, man, what the matter is, and what your own nature is able to bear.

When you have fully considered all these things, approach, if you please—that is, if, by parting with them, you have a mind to purchase serenity, freedom, and tranquillity.

But we have reason within us; and it directs us, even with these hazards, to stand by our friend and our country.

Be mostly silent, or speak merely what is needful, and in few words.

The body is to everyone the proper measure of its possessions, as the foot is of the shoe.

Everything has two handles: one by which it may be borne, another by which it cannot.

Let whatever appears to be the best be to you an inviolable law.

When you set about any action, remind yourself of what nature the action is.