9 Stoic Quotes on Finding Purpose

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

    — Epictetus, Discourses 3.23

  • If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.

    — Seneca, Moral Letters 71.3

  • Don't put your purpose in one place and expect to see progress made somewhere else.

    — Epictetus, Discourses 1.4.17

  • As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.

    — Seneca, Moral Letters 77.20

  • Let all your efforts be directed to something, let it keep that end in view. It's not activity that disturbs people, but false conceptions of things that drive them mad.

    — Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 12.5

  • When you find your direction, check to make sure that it is the right one.

    — Epictetus, Discourses 3.23

  • Everything - a horse, a vine - is created for some duty... For what task, then, were you yourself created?

    — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.19

  • There is no enjoying the possession of anything valuable unless one has someone to share it with.

    — Seneca, Moral Letters 6.4

  • I cannot call somebody ‘hard-working’ knowing only that they read and write. Even if ‘all night long’ is added, I cannot say it – not until I know the focus of all this energy.

    — Epictetus, Discourses 4.4.41