The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.
happiness

About This Quote

About Epictetus

Epictetus was Greek stoic philosopher (c. 50 – c. 135). Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was born into slavery at Hierapolis, Phrygia and lived in Rome until his banishment, after which he spent the rest of his life in Nicopolis in northwestern Greece. Read more on Wikipedia →

Themes

  • Happiness — Thoughts on finding joy, contentment, and fulfilment

More quotes by Epictetus

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
— Epictetus
contentment happiness money wealth

“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power or our will. ”
— Epictetus
happiness way-to-be

“I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?”
— Epictetus
choices death happiness life

“Men are not afraid of things, but of how they view them.”
— Epictetus
fear overcoming-fear

“Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.”
— Epictetus
control freedom goal happiness

“Don't put your purpose in one place and expect to see progress made somewhere else.”
— Epictetus
purpose
View all quotes by Epictetus →

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happiness love