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“Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the view which they take of them.” – EPICTETUS

Epictetus’ quote emphasizes the Stoic philosophy that people’s inner thoughts and perspectives shape their emotional reactions and disturbances more than external circumstances themselves. The Epictetus quote suggests that it’s not the events or situations that directly cause distress, but rather the interpretations and perceptions individuals hold about those events. This viewpoint encourages self-awareness and the practice of examining and managing one’s thoughts and beliefs in order to achieve greater emotional resilience and inner peace.

Who is EPICTETUS?

Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher born as a slave in the 1st century AD in the Roman Empire. After gaining his freedom, he taught that true happiness comes from controlling one’s thoughts and actions rather than external events. His teachings, recorded by his student Arrian in Discourses and the Enchiridion, emphasize self-discipline, resilience, and acceptance of fate. Epictetus believed that virtue is the only true good and that suffering comes from our perceptions, not reality itself. His ideas have influenced leaders, soldiers, and philosophers for centuries, shaping modern Stoicism and personal development.