Manual For Living - Epictetus

"First, say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do."

"Some things are within our control, and some things are not."

"Things and people are not what we wish them to be nor what they seem to be. They are what they are."

"Conduct yourself in accordance with the laws of nature."

"We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can choose how we respond to them."

"The important thing is to take great care with what you have while the world lets you have it."

"The surest sign of the higher life is serenity."

"Wherever you find yourself and in whatever circumstances, give an impeccable performance."

"Content yourself with being a lover of wisdom, a seeker of the truth. Return and return again to what is essential and worthy.

"You will never earn the same rewards as others without employing the same methods and investment of time as they do."

"...reconsider who you associate with."

"Once you know who you are...you will know what to do."

"What is the right thing to do now?"

"It is our duty to stand by our friends in their hour of need."



Excerpted from "The Art Of Living" by Epictetus as interpreted by Sharon Lebell. The Manual For Living consists of essays 1-79 in the book.