Bits of Wisdom #2 : Epictetus

From the ancient till modern times, Greece has been the homeland for many important historical events and people who have marked the history of the country and have influenced the course of the world. People with talent, inspiration, and vision have set the grounds of modern civilization. Ancient thinkers words on life, success, courage and character hold true centuries later and can be just the pick-me-up we need, whatever the work day throws at us. The Ancient Greek philosophers used few words, 'quotes', to express pearls of wisdom that stand up today as guidelines for living wisely and compassionately.

EPICTETUS

Philosopher of the 2nd century BC

“Reason is not measured by size or height, but by principle”

“No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen”

“Practise yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things; and thence proceed to greater”

“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will”

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak”

“When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger”

“It takes more than just a good looking body. You've got to have the heart and soul to go with it”

“Be careful to leave your sons well instructed rather than rich, for the hopes of the instructed are better than the wealth of the ignorant”

“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak”

“All religions must be tolerated... for every man must get to heaven in his own way”

“Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly”

“Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens”

“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid”

“It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them”

“Silence is safer than speech”

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do”

“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”