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 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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that true barriers exist only in our minds, and our willpower can overcome any physical challenges.
Epictetus highlights the power of personal will and determination in the face of physical limitations. The essence of the message is that while circumstances like sickness or lameness can impose challenges, they do not define our entire being. It is our will that determines our resilience and ability to navigate life's obstacles, reinforcing that we have control over how we respond to adversities.
Themes
WillpowerControlResilienceOvercomingChallenges
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about overcoming adversity, one could use the quote to inspire the audience to tap into their inner strength.
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.
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Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
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The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
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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.
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