The Art of Living
by Epictetus
"The Art of Living" by Epictetus presents the core principles of Stoic philosophy, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what is within our control and accepting what is not. Through a series of teachings and practical advice, Epictetus encourages readers to cultivate inner resilience, virtue, and tranquility in the face of life's challenges. The work serves as a guide to achieving a fulfilling and meaningful life through self-discipline and rational thought.
23 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Art of Living, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
No man is free who is not a master of himself.
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
Things are not bad in themselves, but our opinions about things make them so.
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
It's not the things themselves that disturb us, but our opinions about those things.
He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
No man is free who is not master of himself.
It's impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.
No man is free, who is not master of himself.
You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.
People are not disturbed by things, but by the views they take of them.
It's not what you endure, but how you endure it that matters.
If you want to be rich, do not add to your money, but subtract from your desire.
It's not the things themselves that disturb us, but our opinions about them.
It's not things that upset us, but our judgments about things.
To be even-minded is the greatest virtue.