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
There is nothing good or evil save in the will.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our intentions and choices shape our understanding of good and evil.
This quote by Epictetus emphasizes that morality is not inherent in actions or events themselves, but rather is determined by our will and intentions. It suggests that good and evil are subjective and are defined by our choices, reinforcing the importance of personal responsibility and mindset in moral judgments.
Themes
WillMoralityGoodEvilIntentions
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical discussion about ethics, one might illustrate their point by referring to this quote.
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
Similar quotes
One of the great ironies of our time is that some of the most progressive cities are among the most systemically racist in their housing policies.
Ritchie TorresRead
God seems to have left the receiver off the hook and time is running out.
Arthur KoestlerRead
Southerners can never resist a losing cause.
Margaret MitchellRead
When one has never heard a man's name in the course of one's life, it speaks volumes for him; he must be quite respectable.
Oscar WildeRead
If the Nuremberg laws were applied, then every post-war American president would have been hanged.
Noam ChomskyRead
It is the nature of aphoristic thinking to be always in a state of concluding; a bid to have the final word is inherent in all powerful phrase-making.
Susan SontagRead