Stoic Quotes for a better life

If it isn't ceasing to live that you're afraid of but never beginning to live properly...then you'll be worthy of the world that made you. - Marcus Aurelius

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

Let Fate find us ready and alert. Here is your great soul—the man who has given himself over to Fate; on the other hand, that man is a weakling and a degenerate who struggles and maligns the order of the universe and would rather reform the gods than reform himself. - Seneca

Everyone approaches courageously a danger which he has prepared himself to meet long before, and withstands even hardships if he has previously practiced how to meet them. But, contrariwise, the unprepared are panic-stricken even at the most trifling things. We must see to it that nothing shall come upon us unforeseen. - Seneca

Whoever does wrong, wrongs himself; whoever does injustice, does it to himself, making himself evil. - Marcus Aurelius

The happy life is a life that is in harmony with its own nature. - Seneca

Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems. - Epictetus

If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone." - Epictetus

Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together,but do so with all your heart. - Marcus Aurelius

On the occasion of every accident that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use. - Epictetus

Objective judgement, now, at this very moment. Unselfish action, now, at this very moment. Willing acceptance - now, at this very moment - of all external events. That's all you need. - Marcus Aurelius

In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present - I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world? Or have I been made for this, to lie in the bed-clothes and keep myself warm? - Marcus Aurelius

Freedom is secured not by the fulfilling of men's desires, but by the removal of desire. - Epictetus

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid. - Epictetus

It's like this, gentlemen of the jury: The spot where a person decides to station himself, or wherever his commanding officer stations him -well, I think that's where he ought to take his stand and face the enemy, and not worry about being killed, or about anything but doing his duty. - Marcus Aurelius

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows. - Epictetus

A bad man makes everything bad—even things which had come with the appearance of what is best; but the upright and honest man corrects the wrongs of Fortune, and softens hardship and bitterness because he knows how to endure them; he likewise accepts prosperity with appreciation and moderation, and stands up against trouble with steadiness and courage. - Seneca

I never spend a day in idleness; I appropriate even a part of the night for study. I do not allow time for sleep but yield to it when I must, and when my eyes are wearied with waking and ready to fall shut, I keep them at their task. - Seneca

If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother. - Epictetus

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. - Marcus Aurelius

You have to assemble your life yourself -action by action. And be satisfied if each one achieves its goal, as far as it can. No one can keep that from happening -But there are external obstacles. .. Not to behaving with justice, self-control, and good sense. -Well, but perhaps to some more concrete action. But if you accept the obstacle and work with what you' re given, an alternative will present itself-another piece of what you're trying to assemble, Action by action. - Marcus Aurelius

We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do not wish to have, or avoid, things that other people control, because then you must serve as their slave. - Epictetus

Why is it strange if god puts noble spirits through hard tests? A lesson in virtue is never soft. Fortune flogs us and lacerates us: let us suffer. It is not cruelty but a trial, and the more often we come to it the more courageous we will be. The most robust part of the body is that which constant use has put into action. We ought to offer ourselves up to fortune so that by it we can be hardened against it. It will gradually make us equal to it: the frequency of our endangerment will give us scorn for dangers. - Seneca

The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. - Marcus Aurelius

Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul. - Marcus Aurelius

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. - Epictetus

Philosophy calls for simple living, not for doing penance, and the simple way of life need not be a crude one. - Seneca

Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power. - Seneca

Make it your goal never to fail in your desires or experience things you would rather avoid; try never to err in impulse and repulsion; aim to be perfect also in the practice of attention and withholding judgment. - Epictetus

Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you. - Epictetus

Observe always that everything is the result of change, and get used to thinking that there is nothing Nature loves so well as to change existing forms and make new ones like them. - Marcus Aurelius