Epictetus (55-135). A Stoic philosopher who lived in Greece during the Roman Empire.

He is known for his teachings with religious tendencies, and for this reason he was respected by early Christian thinkers. Epictetus is known not to have written any works, and "Discourses" and "Enchiridion" were recorded by his student Arrianos. As a political theorist, Epictetus believed that humans are part of a great system that can understand both God and humans. He was a slave in his youth, but he was able to attend the lectures of Musonius Rufus of the Stoic school. He later became a free man and was always in poor health. In AD 90, Emperor Domitian exiled him from Rome, as the Emperor did not like the Stoics, who praised those who opposed his tyranny. Epictetus spent the rest of his life in Nicopolis.

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

○ He who can laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.

○ First say to yourself, what kind of person do I want to be? Then, think about what you have to do to become that person.

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

○ To be rich is not to have many possessions but to want little.

○ Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a fig or a grape. 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.

○ Think of why Hercules became a hero. If there had been no monsters or bad guys, who made life miserable for the people, and if Hercules had not struggled against these and defeated them, would he have become a hero?

○ Don't expect to accomplish something in one place while remaining in another.

○ There will be times and places in life when you are distracted by other things or are drawn to pleasure. But remember, these things should never outweigh the true purpose of your life.

○ A narrow-minded person blames others, a common person blames themselves, and a wise person blames neither.

○ It is impossible to expect others to see you as you see yourself.

○ If you would not have it done to you, do not do it to others.