Enchiridion

by Epictetus

If then you are negligent and slothful, and are continually making procrastination after procrastination, and proposal (intention) after proposal, and fixing day after day, after which you will attend to yourself, you will not know that you are not making improvement, but you will continue ignorant (uninstructed) both while you live and till you die.

No man who loves money, and loves pleasure, and loves fame, also loves mankind, but only he who loves virtue.

If a man should transgress moderation, the things which give the greatest delight would become the things which give the least.

Forgiveness is better than revenge: for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge the sign of a savage nature.

remember to say to yourself first, that you are (by nature) mild (gentle); and if you do nothing savage, you will continue to live without repentance and without blame.

No fool is able to be silent over his cups.

so do not be moved from your purpose even by a rabble when they unjustly attempt to move you.

so do you also not wait for clappings of hands, and shouts and praise to be induced to do good, but be a doer of good voluntarily, and you will be beloved as much as the sun.

Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.

Deliberate much before saying or doing anything, for you will not have the power of recalling what has been said or done.

It is the part of a wise man to resist pleasures, but of a foolish man to be a slave to them.

No man is free who is not master of himself.

As it is pleasant to see the sea from the land, so it is pleasant for him who has escaped from troubles to think of them.

Epictetus being asked how a man should give pain to his enemy answered, By preparing himself to live the best life that he can.