15 Powerful Epictetus Quotes from The Art of Living

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Excerpt: Epictetus was born a slave and later opened an influential school of Stoic philosophy. Read our 15 powerful Epictetus quotes to read more.

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Introduction: Who was Epictetus?

Epictetus was born a slave around 55 A.D. in Hierapolis, Phrygia, in the eastern outreaches of the Roman Empire. Once freed, he established an influential school of Stoic philosophy, stressing that human beings cannot control life, only their responses to it.

He left no philosophical writings. Fortunately, the main points of his philosophy were preserved by his devoted pupil, the historian Flavius Arrian, who’s work led to the publishing of The Discourses of Epictetus – A major source for our present-day understanding of Roman Stoic philosophy.

Among Epictetus’ most distinguished students was the young Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who eventually became ruler of the Roman Empire. He was also the author of the famous Meditations, whose Stoic roots were in Epictetus’ moral doctrines.

In the book, The Art of Living, Sharon Lebell, a philosophical writer and musician who lives in Northern California, interprets the teachings of Epictetus and formulates a classical manual of ninety-three sharp, witty, and wise instructions for readers. Her hope is for readers to learn, through the teachings of Epictetus, how to meet the challenges of everyday life successfully and to face life’s inevitable losses and disappointments with grace.

Below, you will find 15 of our top, hand-selected Epictetus quotes from The Art of Living. Our aim is to introduce you to Epictetus’ style and share with you some of his beliefs and inspirational tid-bits. Our hope is that they help you gain some momentum in your life on taking control of your circumstance and how you respond to what’s within your control.

If any of the Epictetus quotes below resonate with you, be sure to write it down and put it in a place where you can reference it often! Good luck and Enjoy!

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The List:  15 Powerful Epictetus Quotes from The Art of Living

“When your thoughts, words, and deeds form a seamless fabric, you streamline your efforts and thus eliminate worry and dread.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 100)

“To know that you do not know and to be willing to admit that you do not know without sheepishly apologizing is real strength and sets the stage for learning and progress in any endeavor.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 86)

“The flourishing life cannot be achieved until we moderate our desires and see how superficial and fleeting they are.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 89)

“Authentic happiness is always independent of external conditions.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 26)

“Be careful whom you associate with. It is human to imitate the habits of those with whom we interact. We inadvertently adopt their interests, their opinions, their values, and their habit of interpreting events.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 54)

“It is not a demonstration of kindness or friendship to the people we care about to join them in indulging in wrongheaded, negative feelings. We do a better service to ourselves and others by remaining detached and avoiding melodramatic reactions.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 23)

“When we blather about trivial things, we ourselves become trivial, for our attention gets taken up with trivialities. You become what you give your attention to.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 52)

“Getting distracted by trifles is the easiest thing in the world… Focus on your main duty”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 14)

“It’s time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 50)

“A half-hearted spirit has no power. Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Average people enter into their endeavors headlong and without care.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 39)

“Although we can’t control which roles are assigned to us, it must be our business to act our given role as best we possibly can and to refrain from complaining about it. Where ever you find yourself and in whatever circumstances, give an impeccable performance.“

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 24)

“Don’t consent to be hurt and you won’t be hurt – this is a choice over which you have control”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 43)

“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 your 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.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 16)

“Every difficulty in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and to invoke our own submerged inner resources. The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 17)

“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.”

Epictetus, The Art of Living (Page 10)

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If you enjoyed these Epictetus quotes from The Art of Living, you should read Sharon Lebell’s book in full. It comes highly recommended: