Epictetus

“Dare to look up to God and say, 'Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt. I am of the same mind; I am one with Thee. I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee. Lead me whither Thou wilt. Clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt.' ”

“Difficulties are things that show what men are.”

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”

“Here is the beginning of philosophy: a recognition of the conflicts between men, a search for their cause, a condemnation of mere opinion... and the discovery of a standard of judgment.”

“I have a lantern. You steal a lantern. What, then, is your honor worth no more to you than the price of my lantern?”

“No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.”

“Only the educated are free.”

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”

“What is the first business of one who studies philosophy? To part with self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn what he thinks that he already knows.”