Epictetus

We have two ears and one mouth so we may listen more and talk the less.

Tell me where I can escape death: discover for me the country, show me the men to whom I must go, whom death does not visit. Discover to me a charm against death. If I have not one, what do you wish me to do? I cannot escape from death, but shall I die lamenting and trembling? . . . Therefore if I am able to change externals according to my wish, I change them: but if I cannot, I am ready to tear the eyes out of him who hinders me.

Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.

Control thy passions, lest they take vengeance on thee.

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.

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

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

The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

If you would cure anger, do not feed it. Say to yourself: 'I used to be angry every day; then every other day; now only every third or fourth day.' When you reach thirty days offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the gods.

Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.

Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you, and be silent.

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

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

When you close your doors, and make darkness within, remember never to say that you are alone, for you are not alone; nay, God is within, and your genius is within. And what need have they of light to see what you are doing?

If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase.

No man is free who is not master of himself.

Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil.

The two powers which in my opinion constitute a wise man are those of bearing and forebearing.

A wise man is he who does not grieve for the thing which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

Only the educated are free.

What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.