Epictetus

You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.

If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.

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

Control thy passions lest they take vengence on thee.

Be not swept off your feet by the vividness of the impression, but say, "Impression, wait for me a little. Let me see what you are and what you represent. Let me try you."

What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's part; if I were a swan, I would do as a swan. But now I am a rational creature, and I ought to praise God. This is my work. I do it, nor will I desert my post, so long as I am allowed to keep it. And I ask you to join me in this same song.

Shall I show you the sinews of a philosopher? What sinews are those? - A will undisappointed; evils avoided; powers daily exercised; careful resolutions; unerring decisions.

If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.

Nothing great 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.

Circumstances don't make the man, they only reveal him to himself.

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.

You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.

There is nothing good or evil save in the will.

Unless we place our religion and our treasure in the same thing, religion will always be sacrificed.

Not every difficult and dangerous thing is suitable for training, but only that which is conducive to success in achieving the object of our effort.

No man is free who is not master of himself.

We tell lies, yet it is easy to show that lying is immoral.

If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.

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

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