Epictetus

Peace is achieved not by avoiding conflict, but by facing it wisely.

No matter what happens, it is within my power to turn it to my advantage.

Men are not disturbed by things, but the view they take of things.

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

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.

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

Not every difficult and dangerous thing is suitable for training, but only that which is conducive to success in achieving the object of our effort.

If virtue promises happiness, prosperity and peace, then progress in virtue is progress in each of these for to whatever point the perfection of anything brings us, progress is always an approach toward it.

Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.

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

God has entrusted me with myself.

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.

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

What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes.

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.

Only the educated are free.

It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

Books are the training weights of the mind.

Devote the rest of your life to making progress.

If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid.

It's impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.

Any person capable of angering you becomes your master.

He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.

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

Circumstances don't make the man, they only reveal him to himself.

Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it.

You become what you give your attention to.

If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realize that you have compromised your integrity. If you need a witness, be your own.

How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?