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
It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Wise individuals prioritize self-control over immediate pleasures, while foolish ones succumb to them.
This quote by Epictetus highlights the difference in behavior between wise and foolish individuals regarding the pursuit of pleasures. Those who are wise recognize that true fulfillment comes from self-discipline and resisting fleeting temptations, while the foolish allow themselves to be dominated by their desires, leading to a lack of control and ultimately, dissatisfaction.
Themes
WisdomSelf-ControlPleasureDisciplineFoolishness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth.
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.
EpictetusRead
Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
EpictetusRead
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.
EpictetusRead
The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
EpictetusRead
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
EpictetusRead
Similar quotes
Remember that unjust critisism is often a disquised compliment.
Dale CarnegieRead
Rather than going after our walls and barriers with a sledgehammer, we pay attention to them. With gentleness and honesty, we move closer to those walls. We touch them and smell them and get to know them well. We begin a process of acknowledging our aversions and our cravings. We become familiar with the strategies and beliefs we use to build the walls: What are the stories I tell myself? What repels me and what attracts me? We start to get curious about whatβs going on.
Pema ChodronRead
The fool who persists in his folly will become wise.
William BlakeRead
Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake each moment, the effort to overcome laziness and merit, the effort to make each activity of our day meditation.
Ajahn ChahRead
There is nothing more hateful than bad advice.
SophoclesRead
After meditating for some years, I began to see the patterns of my own behavior. As you quiet your mind, you begin to see the nature of your own resistance more clearly, struggles, inner dialogues, the way in which you procrastinate and develop passive resistance against life. As you cultivate the witness, things change. You don't have to change them. Things just change.
Ram DassRead