Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the living, and her eyes they blind.
EpictetusRead
Avoid banquets which are given by strangers an ignorant persons. But if there is ever occasion to join them, let your attention be carefully fixed, that you slip not into the manner of the vulgar (the uninstructed).
Interpretation
Be cautious of the company you keep and the influence of those who lack knowledge.
This quote by Epictetus emphasizes the importance of being mindful about the people and environments we engage with. It suggests that associating with ignorant individuals can lead to adopting their behaviors and attitudes, which may detract from our own wisdom and character. Therefore, it is crucial to stay aware and maintain our values, especially in unfamiliar social settings.
In practice
During a speech about personal development, I could use this quote to emphasize the importance of choosing friends wisely.
Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the living, and her eyes they blind.
Learn to distinguish what you can and can't control. Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, desires and the things that repel us. They are directly subject to our influence.
Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
Nothing truly stops you. Nothing truly holds you back. For your own will is always within your control. Sickness may challenge your body. But are you merely your body? Lameness may impede your legs. But you are not merely your legs. Your will is bigger than your legs. Your will needn't be affected by an incident unless you let it.
The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
Stuckness shouldn't be avoided. It's the physic predecessor of all real understanding.
No doubt it is an evil to be bound by laws, but it is necessary at the immature stage to be guided by rules; in other words, as the Master used to say that the sapling must be hedged round, and so on.
I've never seen a wild thing feel sorry for itself.
There is a deeper pleasure in following truth to the scaffold or the cross, than in joining the multitudinous retinue, and mingling our shouts with theirs, when victorious error celebrates its triumphs.
Reckless youth makes rueful age.
We've been programmed, from the time that we were very, very little, about what we can't do - about what is impossible.
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