10 Stoic Quotes on Decision-Making

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

    — Epictetus
  • “This is your business—to act well the given part, but to choose it belongs to another.”

    — Epictetus
  • “Only consider at what price you sell your own will: if for no other reason, at least for this, that you sell it not for a small sum.”

    — Epictetus
  • “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
  • “From this instant, then, choose to act like the worthy and capable person you are. Follow unwaveringly what reason tells you is the best course.”

    — Epictetus
  • “You are the one who knows yourself - which is to say, you know how much you are worth in your own estimation, and therefore at what price you will sell yourself; because people sell themselves at different rates.”

    — Epictetus
  • “When you make a decision, make sure you are not doing it out of habit. Make sure it is the right decision based on the current situation.”

    — Epictetus
  • “If a man makes a decision without listening to both sides, he is unjust, even if his ruling is a fair one.”

    — Seneca
  • “After friendship is formed you must trust, but before that you must judge.”

    — Seneca
  • “Everyone prefers belief to the exercise of judgement.”

    — Seneca