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
With ills unending strives the putter off.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Procrastination leads to a cycle of ongoing suffering and unresolved issues.
This quote by Epictetus highlights the consequences of procrastination. By continually delaying tasks or responsibilities, individuals create a perpetual cycle of discomfort and dissatisfaction, as unaddressed problems accumulate over time. It urges us to confront challenges rather than putting them off, emphasizing that avoidance only prolongs our struggles.
Themes
ProcrastinationSufferingResponsibilityActionStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming procrastination.
More from Epictetus
All quotes βLearn 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
Men 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
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If we like a man's dream, we call him a reformer; if we don't like his dream, we call him a crank.
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I cannot become modest; too many things burn in me; the old solutions are falling apart; nothing has been done yet with the new ones. So I begin, everywhere at once, as if I had a century ahead of me.
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