Epictetus was a former slave who rose to become a prominent Stoic philosopher, emphasizing the importance of personal freedom and self-control.

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

"No man is free who is not master of himself."

"It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you."

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants."

"Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them."

"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid."

"Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it."

"Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control."

"Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself."

"If evil be said of thee, and if it be true, correct yourself; if it be a lie, laugh at it."

"The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things."

"Only the educated are free."

"Keep your intentions pure."

"To accuse others for one’s own misfortunes is a sign of want of education."

"Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly."

"Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. Wise people blame no one."

"We should not have either a blunt knife or a freedom of speech which is careless and rough."

"No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig."

"Attach yourself to what is spiritually superior."