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.
EpictetusRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote warns against the harm caused by flatterers to the living, similar to how crows consume the dead.
Epictetus presents a stark contrast between the natural behavior of crows, which pick at the eyes of the deceased when they no longer need them, and the destructive influence of flatterers on the living. While crows act in accordance with survival instincts, flatterers corrupt the soul and vision of those still alive, illustrating the moral decay that can result from insincere praise and manipulation. This quote reflects deep insights into human relationships and the importance of sincerity over superficial admiration.
Themes
FlatteryDeceitWisdomSincerityRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
You could use this quote in a speech about the importance of authentic relationships.
More from Epictetus
All quotes βMen are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
EpictetusRead
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.
EpictetusRead
The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
EpictetusRead
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
EpictetusRead
Attach yourself to what is spiritually superior, regardless of what other people think or do. Hold to your true aspirations no matter what is going on around you.
EpictetusRead
Similar quotes
The whole of existence is dancing, except man. The whole of existence is in a very relaxed movement; movement there is, certainly, but it is utterly relaxed. Trees are growing and birds are chirping and rivers are flowing, stars are moving: everything is going in a very relaxed way. No hurry, no haste, no worry, and no waste. Except man. Man has fallen a victim of his mind.
RajneeshRead
Whenever we seek to avoid the responsibility for our own behavior, we do so by attempting to give that responsibility to some other individual or organization or entity. But this means we then give away our power to that entity.
M. Scott PeckRead
He who understands the limits of life knows that it is easy to obtain that which removes the pain of want and makes the whole of life complete and perfect. Thus he has no longer any need of things which involve struggle.
EpicurusRead
Conservatism, however, is too often a welcome excuse for lazy minds, loath to adapt themselves to fast changing conditions.
Sigmund FreudRead
Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
Language for me narrates the pictures in my mind. When I work on designing livestock equipment I can test run that equipment in my head like 3-D virtual reality. In fact, when I was in college I used to think that everybody was able to do that.
Temple GrandinRead