To you, all you have seems small: to me, all I have seems great. Your desire is insatiable, mine is satisfied. See children thrusting their hands into a narrow-necked jar, and striving to pull out the nuts and figs it contains: if they fill the hand, they cannot pull it out again, and then they fall to tears.-'Let go a few of them, and then you can draw out the rest!'-You, too, let your desire go! covet not many things, and you will obtain (95)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Your desires are endless while mine are satisfied; let go of excess wants to obtain what you truly need.
- In plain terms
- Release unnecessary cravings to achieve contentment.
- What can you take from it?
- Simplify desires for true fulfillment.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What desires are truly necessary?
- How can you balance ambition and simplicity?
Another view
Some ambition can be motivating rather than harmful.
More from Epictetus
Canst thou judge men?... then make us imitators of thyself, as Socrates did. Do this, do not do that, else will I cast thee into prison; this is not governing …
Permalink to quote #44 'My brother ought not to have treated me thus.' True: but he must see to that. However he may treat me, I must deal rightly by him. This is what lies with me, …
Permalink to quote #46 If you have assumed a character beyond your strength, you have both played a poor figure in that, and neglected one that is within your powers. (79)
Permalink to quote #43
Related quotes
He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.
SocratesSocrates quote #51 Der Mensch kann tun was er will; er kann aber nicht wollen was er will.
Arthur SchopenhauerArthur Schopenhauer quote #2 If I were not Alexander, I should wish to be Diogenes.
Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great quote #3