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About this quote

What does it mean?
A person's good or bad actions stem from their own will.
In plain terms
Your choices determine your moral outcome.
What can you take from it?
Take responsibility for your decisions.

Where it applies

  • ethical dilemmas
  • personal habits

Putting it to work

  • reflect on motives
  • align actions with values

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance personal will with societal expectations?
  • When is will not enough to change behavior?

Another view

External constraints can limit the freedom of will.

More from Epictetus

  1. It is difficulties that show what men are.

    Permalink to quote #5
  2. In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside.

    Permalink to quote #7
  3. Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things; and thence proceed to greater.

    Permalink to quote #4

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