Enchiridion

by Epictetus

You are an appearance, and in no manner what you appear to be.

Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.

Disease is an impediment to the body, but not to the will, unless the will itself chooses.

On no occasion call yourself a philosopher, and do not speak much among the uninstructed about theorems (philosophical rules, precepts): but do that which follows from them.

For even sheep do not vomit up their grass and show to the shepherds how much they have eaten; but when they have internally digested the pasture, they produce externally wool and milk. Do you also show not your theorems to the uninstructed, but show the acts which come from their digestion.

Examine yourself whether you wish to be rich or to be happy. If you wish to be rich, you should know that it is neither a good thing nor at all in your power: but if you wish to be happy, you should know that it is both a good thing and in your power, for the one is a temporary loan of fortune, and happiness comes from the will. XX.

As it is better to lie compressed in a narrow bed and be healthy than to be tossed with disease on a broad couch, so also it is better to contract yourself within a small competence and to be happy than to have a great fortune and to be wretched.

If you begin by admiring little things, you will not be thought worthy of great things: but if you despise the little, you will be greatly admired.

You will do the greatest services to the state, if you shall raise not the roofs of the houses, but the souls of the citizens: for it is better that great souls should dwell in small houses than for mean slaves to lurk in great houses.

When Thales was asked what is most universal, he answered, Hope, for hope stays with those who have nothing else.

When a man dies young, he blames the gods. When he is old and does not die, he blames the gods because he suffers when he ought to have already ceased from suffering. And nevertheless, when death approaches, he wishes to live, and sends to the physician and entreats him to omit no care or trouble. Wonderful, he said, are men, who are neither willing to live nor to die.

What we ought not to do, we should not even think of doing.

Give of what you have to strangers and to those who have need: for he who gives not to him who wants, will not receive himself when he wants.

A man should choose (pursue) not every pleasure, but the pleasure which leads to goodness.

Choose rather to punish your appetites than to be punished through them.

Envy is the antagonist of the fortunate.

He is unreasonable who is grieved (troubled) at the things which happen from the necessity of nature.