Home > Work > The Manual: A Philosopher's Guide to Life (Stoic Philosophy Book 1)
1 " If someone tried to take control of your body and make you a slave, you would fight for freedom. Yet how easily you hand over your mind to anyone who insults you. When you dwell on their words and let them dominate your thoughts, you make them your master. "
― Epictetus , The Manual: A Philosopher's Guide to Life (Stoic Philosophy Book 1)
2 " Some young women confuse their self-worth with their ability to attract the attention of men, and so pour all their energies into makeup, clothing, and jewelry. If only they realized that virtue, honor, and self-respect are the marks of a true beauty. "
3 " If you pin your hopes on things outside your control, taking upon yourself things which rightfully belong to others, you are liable to stumble, fall, suffer, and blame both gods and men. But if you focus your attention only on what is truly your own concern, and leave to others what concerns them, then you will be in charge of your interior life. No one will be able to harm or hinder you. You will blame no one, and have no enemies. "
4 " No one can steal your peace of mind unless you let them. "
5 " When you are feeling upset, angry, or sad,” Epictetus said, “don’t blame another for your state of mind. Your condition is the result of your own opinions and interpretations. . . . "
6 " And the way to be free is to let go of anything that is not within your control. "
7 " Follow your principles as though they were laws. Do not worry if others criticize or laugh at you, for their opinions are not your concern. "
8 " If you win the adoration of others by pretending to be someone you’re not, you may gain celebrity or high office—but you will lose out on the fulfillment of a life best-suited to your attributes and abilities. "
9 " End the habit of despising things that are not within your power, and apply your aversion to things that are within your power. "
10 " Do not wish that all things will go well with you, but that you will go well with all things. "
11 " When you are feeling upset, angry, or sad,” Epictetus said, “don’t blame another for your state of mind. Your condition is the result of your own opinions and interpretations. . . . “When anyone provokes you, remember that it is actually your own opinion provoking you. It is not the person who insults or attacks you who torments your mind, but the view you take of these things. "
12 " Whenever a challenge arises, turn inward and ask what power you can exercise in the situation. If you meet temptation, use self-control; if you meet pain, use fortitude; if you meet revulsion, use patience. In this way, you will overcome life’s challenges, rather than be overcome by them. "
13 " As you travel the path of philosophy, be content to be considered plain or even foolish. Do not strive to be celebrated for anything. If you are praised by others, be skeptical of yourself. For it it is no easy feat to hold onto your inner harmony while collecting accolades. When grasping for one, you are likely to drop the other. "
14 " But I want power and renown so that I may help other people,” you say. What do you mean by “help”? Can you really give them happiness and satisfaction—things that are in their own spheres of power, not yours? "
15 " Stop judging the things that fate brings you as “good” or “evil”; only judge your own thoughts, desires, and actions as good or evil. If you suppose events to be good or evil in themselves, when life doesn’t go as you wish you will inevitably blame the Author. "
16 " The whole point of learning is to live out the teachings. "
17 " Whenever you act from clear judgment, doing what needs to be done, do not worry about what others will think—even if the whole world might misunderstand you. "
18 " From this instant, then, choose to act like the worthy and capable person you are. Follow unwaveringly what reason tells you is the best course. "
19 " The fear of death stems from the view that it is fearful. "
20 " I cannot stay in harmony if I let myself become upset by things beyond my control. "
