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 not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true insult comes from our own perception, not from others' actions or words.
Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, teaches that insults and offenses are not determined by the actions of others, such as reviling or striking you, but rather by how you interpret these actions. It emphasizes the importance of mindset and personal responsibility in determining our emotional responses, suggesting that our opinions hold the power to define our experience of insult.
Themes
PerceptionInsultMindsetStoicismReaction
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about emotional resilience, you might use this quote to highlight how our opinions shape our reactions.
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
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