Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the living, and her eyes they blind.
EpictetusRead
If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things. Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust yourself. For, it is difficult to both keep your faculty of choice in a state conformable to nature, and at the same time acquire external things. But while you are careful about the one, you must of necessity neglect the other
Interpretation
What this quote means
True improvement often requires humility and a focus on inner virtues rather than external perceptions.
Epictetus emphasizes the importance of prioritizing internal wisdom and personal growth over the opinions of others regarding external achievements or possessions. This quote suggests that to truly improve oneself, one must be willing to appear foolish in the eyes of others and mistrust the allure of external validation, as pursuing external goods often distracts from developing sound judgment and integrity.
Themes
ImprovementHumilityWisdomSelf-DistrustExternal Validation
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a speech about personal growth and self-awareness.
More from Epictetus
All quotes βLearn to distinguish what you can and can't control. Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, desires and the things that repel us. They are directly subject to our influence.
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Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
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Nothing truly stops you. Nothing truly holds you back. For your own will is always within your control. Sickness may challenge your body. But are you merely your body? Lameness may impede your legs. But you are not merely your legs. Your will is bigger than your legs. Your will needn't be affected by an incident unless you let it.
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The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
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