5 Epictetus Quotes on Resilience

Epictetus quotes on resilience

5. It is difficulties that show what men are.

18. With every accident, ask yourself what abilities you have for making a proper use of it. If you see an attractive person, you will find that self-restraint is the ability you have against your desire. If you are in pain, you will find fortitude. If you hear unpleasant language, you will find patience. And thus habituated, the appearances of things will not hurry you away along with them. (10)

56. It is hard to combine and unite these two qualities, the carefulness of one who is affected by circumstances, and the intrepidity of one who heeds them not. But it is not impossible: else were happiness also impossible. We should act as we do in seafaring: 'What can I do?'-Choose the master, the crew, the day, the opportunity. Then comes a sudden storm. What matters it to me? my part has been fully done. The matter is in the hands of another-the Master of the ship. The ship is foundering. What then have I to do? I do the only thing that remains to me-to be drowned without fear, without a cry, without upbraiding God, but knowing that what has been born must likewise perish. For I am not Eternity, but a human being-a part of the whole, as an hour is part of the day. I must come like the hour, and like the hour must pass! (186)

75. Happiness is not in strength, wealth, power, or all three. It lies in ourself, in true freedom, conquest of ignoble fear, perfect self-government, in power of contentment, and the even flow of life, even in poverty, exile, disease, and the very Valley of the Shadow of Death.

77. Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Therefore, give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions, and determine to pay the price for a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast... and one day you will build something that endures, something worthy of your potential.