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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Great achievements require time and patience to develop fully, just like fruit grows over time.
This quote emphasizes the importance of patience and the natural progression of growth in any endeavor. Epictetus uses the metaphor of a fig and grapes to illustrate that nothing significant happens overnight; rather, there is a process of blossoming, bearing fruit, and ripening that must be respected before one can expect to achieve greatness.
Themes
PatienceGrowthTimeGreatnessProcess
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech to encourage students, one might say this quote to remind them of the journey ahead.
More from Epictetus
All quotes →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
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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You can get into a habit of thought in which you enjoy making fun of all those other people who don't see things as clearly as you do. We have to guard carefully against it.
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