Epictetus may have been alive almost 2 millennia ago, but that doesn't mean he can't drop some practical stoic wisdom that is relevant to our lives now. Here are 21 quotes transcribed from his lectures that we really should keep in mind today. Complete with more modern phrases to go along with the original.
1. "Trying to control or to change what we can't only results in torment"
Stay in your lane
2. "Keep your attention... on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours."
Mind your own beeswax
3. "Circumstances do not rise to meet our expectations... Embrace what you actually get."
It is what it is / You get what you get and you don't have a fit.
4. "When something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it"
Make the best out of what you got.
5. "When we suffer setbacks, disturbances, or grief, let us never place blame on others"
Stop pointing fingers
6. "Nothing truly stops you. Nothing truly holds you back. For your own will is always within your control."
7. "The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths... You possess strengths you might not realize you have. Find the right one. Use it."
You got what it takes to make it through your struggles.
8. "Moral progress results in freedom from inner turmoil. You can stop fretting about this and that."
9. "Don't be concerned with other peoples impressions of you."
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but names should never hurt you.
10. "Hold to your true aspirations no matter what is going on around you."
Stay true to yourself.
11. "Think twice before you give up your own mind to someone who might revile you, leaving you confused and upset."
Don't talk to snakes.
12. "Cultivate a habit of surveying and testing a prospective action before undertaking it."
WHEN WILL YOU LEARN THAT YOUR ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!!!
13. "A half-hearted spirit has no power. Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes."
Don't half ass what you do. Full sends only.
14. "If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become."
If you don't set goals you'll never score them.
15. "Think before you speak to make sure you are speaking with good purpose."
This one is pretty straightforward...
16. "Be discriminating about what... you permit into your mind. If you yourself don't choose what... you expose yourself to, someone else will, and their motives might not be the highest."
What you let yourself see and listen to affect you. Don't let somebody else decide what you like for you.
17. "Be careful whom you associate with... All of these people can affect your destiny... They key is to keep company only with people... whose presence calls forth your best."
Again, watch out for snakes. If they don't want to help you, they want to hurt you, get outta there quick.
18. "Respect your body's needs... Do not, however, use your body as an occasion for show or luxury."
Keep yourself healthy, but don't rub your beautiful body in everyone's faces.
19. "Many people... place all their emphasis on managing their physical appearance... What really matters is who we are inside and who we are becoming."
Care more about who you are than how you look.
20. "There is a big difference between saying valuable things and doing valuable things."
Talk is cheap.
21. "Stop the excuses and procrastination. This is your life!... The longer you wait, the more you will be vulnerable to mediocrity... you know you are capable of better.... Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do-now."
There is some advice from Epictetus that I personally found very useful. I hope this can serve as an inspiration to go out and improve your life in whatever way you think is best. If nothing else, I hope you got to learn just how much Shia Labeouf has in common with stoic philosophers.
