# Epictetus' best quotes

The teachings of the slave who became a philosopher, from the Enchiridion and the Discourses recorded by Arrian: what is up to you and what is not.

- 88 votes · 11 items
- Dec 17, 2019 · Pablo Morales Herrero
- https://even.best/en/l/2100/epictetus-best-quotes

## Top 11

1. **Men are disturbed not by things, but by the opinions about things.** (13 · ▲14 ▼1) — Enchiridion, 5.
2. **Do not seek for things to happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do, and you will go on well.** (11 · ▲11 ▼0) — Enchiridion, 8.
3. **Man, if you are anybody, go and walk alone, talk with yourself, and don't hide in the chorus.** (9 · ▲10 ▼1) — Discourses, III, 14.
4. **It is not pain or death that is terrible, but the fear of pain or death.** (8 · ▲9 ▼1) — Discourses, II, 1.
5. **Everything has two handles, one by which it may be carried, the other by which it may not.** (8 · ▲8 ▼0) — Enchiridion, 43.
6. **To blame others for one's misfortunes is a sign of lack of education; to blame oneself shows that education has begun.** (7 · ▲7 ▼0) — Enchiridion, 5.
7. **If you want to be a writer, write.** (5 · ▲7 ▼2) — Discourses, II, 18.
8. **I am a part of the whole, as an hour is part of the day.** (5 · ▲6 ▼1) — Discourses, II, 5.
9. **We should not moor a ship with one anchor, nor a life with one hope.** (2 · ▲3 ▼1) — Fragments.
10. **Diogenes the Cynic said, and said well, that the only way to keep freedom is to be always ready to die for it.** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Discourses, IV, 1.
11. **No one is free who is not master of himself.** (0 · ▲2 ▼2) — Fragments.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
