What Are The Key Quotes In The Handbook Of Epictetus?

2025-09-03 15:04:09 174

4 Answers

Finn
Finn
2025-09-06 12:16:39
Flipping through 'Handbook' feels like finding a pocket-sized coach who speaks plain sense. One of the lines that always sticks with me is: "Some things are up to us, and some things are not up to us." It sounds simple, but when I catch myself worrying about traffic, other people's moods, or the stock market, that sentence cuts through the noise. Another bite-sized gem I keep in my head is: "Don't demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do." That little reframe has saved more coffee-fueled panic sessions than I can count.

I also lean on: "Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens," and the tougher, humbling one: "If you wish to be a writer, write; if you wish to be a brave person, face hardships." Epictetus nudges you toward action and acceptance simultaneously. I often pair these lines with a sticky note on my monitor—practical, blunt, oddly comforting. If you like, try reading a few pages aloud; the cadence makes the advice feel like dialogue rather than a lecture, and it seeps into how you react to small annoyances.
Yolanda
Yolanda
2025-09-08 14:07:17
I like reading 'Handbook' between other philosophy texts because its lines are so quotable and practical. One of the most quoted passages goes: "Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them." That sentence is basically a bridge to cognitive-behavioral ideas—change your interpretation, change your emotion. Another favorite: "Remember, you have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." I use that as a mental checklist: what can I change right now? What must I accept?

Other memorable lines include: "Don't seek to have events happen as you wish; wish them to happen as they do," and the tougher admonition, "When you wake up in the morning tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful..." That last one sounds harsh until you see it as preparation, not cynicism. I cross-reference these with passages in 'Discourses' and even 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius to see how the same Stoic themes evolve. For anyone trying to build resilience, these quotes are like short exercises—repeat them, test them, adapt them to real problems.
Riley
Riley
2025-09-08 16:54:18
I picked up a battered translation of 'Enchiridion' and scribbled some favorite lines in the margins. The core one that filters everything for me is: "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." That’s basically the Stoic toolkit in a sentence—control your perceptions, control your emotions. Another bit I underline all the time: "When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings." It turns blame into homework, and that shift is liberating.

Epictetus also says, "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid," which is a strangely modern take on humility—perfect for anyone learning new skills online or trying to create without fear of mockery. I find myself recommending these snippets to friends before interviews, tough conversations, or creative slumps; they’re short, repeatable, and actually usable in daily life.
Ursula
Ursula
2025-09-08 21:16:53
I tend to pull a few one-liners from 'Handbook' when life feels cluttered. The compact directives are perfect for sticky notes: "Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens" and "Some things are within our control, others are not." Those two form a practical duo for decision-making: act where you can, let go where you can't.

Another short gem I like is: "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." It’s a brutal pep talk against pride. I often repeat it before trying something new, as a reminder that discomfort is part of growth, not a sign of failure.
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