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
What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our fears are shaped more by our perceptions than by actual events.
This quote by Epictetus emphasizes that it is not the external events themselves that cause us distress, but rather our interpretations and thoughts about those events. It suggests that our mental framework and beliefs heavily influence our emotional responses, and by changing the way we interpret situations, we can alleviate our fears and anxieties.
Themes
FearPerceptionInterpretationDistressPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about emotional resilience, this quote can be used to illustrate the power of mindset.
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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And would'st thou evil for his good repay?
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We forget that God's primary goal is not changing our situations or relationships so that we can be happy, but changing us through our situations and relationships so that we will be holy.
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