Who is Epictetus

Epictetus (; Greek: Ἐπίκτητος, Epíktētos; c. 50 – c. 135 AD) was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was born into slavery at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present-day Pamukkale, in western Turkey) and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece for the rest of his life. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses and Enchiridion.

Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not simply a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all external events are beyond our control; we should accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. However, individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline.

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Epictetus Poems

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Epictetus Quotes

• We are not to give credit to the many, who say that none ought to be educated but the free but rather to the philosophers, who say that the well-educated alone are free.
• When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.
• The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
• 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.

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Comments about Epictetus

• Astoic10: "wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants."- epictetus
• Arslankhan103: "the more we value things outside our control, the less control we have." —epictetus
• Stoic_in_truth: "curb your desire—don't set your heart on so many things and you will get what you need." - epictetus
• Earlauthours: “any person capable of angering you becomes your master.” — epictetus
• Sadeem4849: “keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly.” –epictetus

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