Epiktet Zitate
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13 zeitlose Weisheiten für wahre Freiheit und Meisterung des Lebens

Entdecken Sie die zeitlose Weisheit von Epictetus anhand seiner kraftvollen Zitate. Von der Bedeutung der Selbstreflexion und Selbstverbesserung bis hin zum Streben nach Wahrheit und der Befreiung des Geistes bieten diese Zitate wertvolle Einsichten, wie man die Herausforderungen des Lebens meistern und in wahrer Freiheit leben kann.

Epiktet war ein antiker Philosoph der römischen Kaiserzeit und zählt zu den einflussreichsten Vertretern der späten Stoa. Als Sklave gelangte er nach Rom, wo er in Kontakt mit stoischen Lehren kam und später selbst zu unterrichten begann. Nach seiner Vertreibung aus Rom gründete er in Nikopolis eine Philosophenschule, an der er bis zu seinem Tod lehrte. Obwohl Epiktet selbst keine Werke verfasste, ist seine Philosophie in den Aufzeichnungen seines Schülers Arrian überliefert.

In seiner Lehre legt Epiktet besonderen Wert auf ethische Fragen und die praktische Umsetzung philosophischer Überlegungen. Die innere Freiheit und moralische Autonomie jedes Menschen stehen dabei im Zentrum seiner Ethik. Er unterscheidet streng zwischen Dingen und Zuständen, die außerhalb der menschlichen Macht liegen und daher akzeptiert werden müssen, sowie solchen, die das Innere des Menschen betreffen und somit von ihm beeinflusst werden können. Zusätzlich entwickelt Epiktet ein Konzept der sittlichen Persönlichkeit, das für ihn die Essenz des Menschseins darstellt. Er betont jedoch auch, dass menschliches Handeln stets von Gott bestimmt wird, der in jedem Einzelnen sowie in der Welt präsent ist. Aus diesem Grund sollte die Liebe zu allen Menschen gleichermaßen sein.

Die Rezeptionsgeschichte von Epiktets Lehre ist vielfältig. Nach einer ersten kurzen Blüte im 2. Jahrhundert geriet er im Mittelalter im Westen weitgehend in Vergessenheit. Dennoch hatte seine Philosophie indirekten Einfluss auf christliche Autoren von der Spätantike bis zur Neuzeit. In der Renaissance wurden die Aufzeichnungen seines Unterrichts erneut bekannt und hatten eine bedeutende Wirkung.

✵ 50 n.Chr. – 138   •   Andere Namen Epiktétos z Hierápole
Epiktet Foto
Epiktet: 188   Zitate 27   Gefällt mir

Epiktet Berühmte Zitate

„Gleich wie die Sonne, damit sie aufgehe, nicht auf Gebet oder Beschwörung harrt, sondern einfach scheinet und von den Menschen mit Freuden empfangen wird; also sollst auch du nicht auf Beifall, Anklopfen und Lob warten, damit du Wohltaten erzeigest. Tue sie freiwillig, so wirst du auch wie die Sonne geliebt.“

Fragment 22 möglicherweise aus dem Handbuch der Moral
Zugeschrieben
Quelle: Johann Georg Schulthess: Bibliothek der Griechischen Philosophen, Band 2, S.553 https://books.google.at/books?id=_7k-AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA553. Verlag Orell, Geßner und Füsslin, Zürich, 1778.

„Nicht die Dinge selbst beunruhigen die Menschen, sondern die Meinungen und die Urteile über die Dinge.“

Handbuch der Moral (5)
Handbuch der Moral (ἐγχειρίδιον encheirídion) Übersetzung Rainer Nickel, uni-saarland.de http://www.philo.uni-saarland.de/people/analytic/strobach/alteseite/veranst/therapy/epiktet.html

„Wenn dir jemand mitteilt, dir sage jemand Böses nach, dann rechtfertige dich nicht, sondern antworte: Er kannte wohl meine anderen Fehler nicht; denn sonst würde er nicht nur diese hier erwähnen.“

Handbuch der Moral (33)
Handbuch der Moral (ἐγχειρίδιον encheirídion) Übersetzung Rainer Nickel, uni-saarland.de http://www.philo.uni-saarland.de/people/analytic/strobach/alteseite/veranst/therapy/epiktet.html

Epiktet zitat: „Nur wer sein Ziel kennt, findet seinen Weg.“

Epiktet Zitate und Sprüche

„Ertrage und entsage.“
Sustine et abstine!

Handbuch der Moral (ἐγχειρίδιον encheirídion) Übersetzung Rainer Nickel, uni-saarland.de http://www.philo.uni-saarland.de/people/analytic/strobach/alteseite/veranst/therapy/epiktet.html

„Bleibe deinen Vorsätzen wie gewöhnlichen Gesetzen treu - in der Überzeugung, dass du eine gottlose Tat begehst, wenn du sie missachtest.“

Handbuch der Moral (50)
Handbuch der Moral (ἐγχειρίδιον encheirídion) Übersetzung Rainer Nickel, uni-saarland.de http://www.philo.uni-saarland.de/people/analytic/strobach/alteseite/veranst/therapy/epiktet.html

„Der erste und notwendigste Bereich der Philosophie umfaßt die Anwendung ihrer Lehren.“

Handbuch der Moral (52)
Handbuch der Moral (ἐγχειρίδιον encheirídion) Übersetzung Rainer Nickel, uni-saarland.de http://www.philo.uni-saarland.de/people/analytic/strobach/alteseite/veranst/therapy/epiktet.html

„Wer dem unausweichlichen Schicksal sich in rechter Weise fügt, der gilt als weise uns und kennt der Götter Walten.“

Handbuch der Moral (53) Kernsätze
Handbuch der Moral (ἐγχειρίδιον encheirídion) Übersetzung Rainer Nickel, uni-saarland.de http://www.philo.uni-saarland.de/people/analytic/strobach/alteseite/veranst/therapy/epiktet.html

„Wie du beim Gehen darauf achtest, daß du nicht in einen Nagel trittst oder dir den Fuß verstauchst, so nimm dich auch davor in acht, daß das leitende Prinzip in dir keinen Schaden nimmt. Und wenn wir diese Regel bei jeder Handlung einhalten, dann werden wir mit größerer Sicherheit an die Sache herangehen.“

Handbuch der Moral (38)
Handbuch der Moral (ἐγχειρίδιον encheirídion) Übersetzung Rainer Nickel, uni-saarland.de http://www.philo.uni-saarland.de/people/analytic/strobach/alteseite/veranst/therapy/epiktet.html

„Für einen Menschen ist es unmöglich, das zu erlernen, was er bereits zu wissen meint.“

Handbuch der Moral (42)
Handbuch der Moral (ἐγχειρίδιον encheirídion) Übersetzung Rainer Nickel, uni-saarland.de http://www.philo.uni-saarland.de/people/analytic/strobach/alteseite/veranst/therapy/epiktet.html

Epiktet: Zitate auf Englisch

“It is hard to combine and unite these two qualities, the carefulness of one who is affected by circumstances, and the intrepidity of one who heeds them not. But it is not impossible: else were happiness also impossible.”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: It is hard to combine and unite these two qualities, the carefulness of one who is affected by circumstances, and the intrepidity of one who heeds them not. But it is not impossible: else were happiness also impossible. We should act as we do in seafaring: “What can I do?”—Choose the master, the crew, the day, the opportunity. Then comes a sudden storm. What matters it to me? my part has been fully done. The matter is in the hands of another—the Master of the ship. The ship is foundering. What then have I to do? I do the only thing that remains to me—to be drowned without fear, without a cry, without upbraiding God, but knowing that what has been born must likewise perish. For I am not Eternity, but a human being—a part of the whole, as an hour is part of the day. I must come like the hour, and like the hour must pass! (186).

“For the greatness of Reason is not measured by length or height, but by the resolves of the mind.”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: Knowest thou what kind of speck you art in comparison with the Universe?—That is, with respect to the body; since with respect to Reason, thou art not inferior to the Gods, nor less than they. For the greatness of Reason is not measured by length or height, but by the resolves of the mind. Place then thy happiness in that wherein thou art equal to the Gods. (33).

“Not even on finding himself in a well-ordered house does a man step forward and say to himself, I must be master here! Else the lord of that house”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: Not even on finding himself in a well-ordered house does a man step forward and say to himself, I must be master here! Else the lord of that house takes notice of it, and, seeing him insolently giving orders, drags him forth and chastises him. So it is also in the great City, the World. Here also is there a Lord of the House, who orders all things... (110).

“This whole world is one great City, and one is the substance whereof it is fashioned”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: This whole world is one great City, and one is the substance whereof it is fashioned: a certain period indeed there needs must be, while these give place to those; some must perish for others to succeed; some move and some abide: yet all is full of friends—first God, then Men, whom Nature hath bound by ties of kindred each to each. (123).

“Vice has nothing in common with virtue, nor Freedom with slavery.”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: What you shun enduring yourself, attempt not to impose on others. You shun slavery—beware of enslaving others! If you can endure to do that, one would think you had been once upon a time a slave yourself. For Vice has nothing in common with virtue, nor Freedom with slavery. (41).

“What you shun enduring yourself, attempt not to impose on others. You shun slavery—beware of enslaving others!”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: What you shun enduring yourself, attempt not to impose on others. You shun slavery—beware of enslaving others! If you can endure to do that, one would think you had been once upon a time a slave yourself. For Vice has nothing in common with virtue, nor Freedom with slavery. (41).

“Man, if thou art aught, strive to walk alone and hold converse with yourself, instead of skulking in the chorus! at length think; look around thee; bestir thyself, that thou mayest know who thou art!”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: Even as bad actors cannot sing alone, but only in chorus: so some cannot walk alone. Man, if thou art aught, strive to walk alone and hold converse with yourself, instead of skulking in the chorus! at length think; look around thee; bestir thyself, that thou mayest know who thou art! (103).

“What wouldst thou be found doing when overtaken by Death? If I might choose, I would be found doing some deed of true humanity, of wide import, beneficent and noble. But if I may not be found engaged in aught so lofty, let me hope at least for this—what none may hinder, what is surely in my power—that I may be found raising up in myself that which had fallen; learning to deal more wisely with the things of sense; working out my own tranquillity, and thus rendering that which is its due to every relation of life”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: What wouldst thou be found doing when overtaken by Death? If I might choose, I would be found doing some deed of true humanity, of wide import, beneficent and noble. But if I may not be found engaged in aught so lofty, let me hope at least for this—what none may hinder, what is surely in my power—that I may be found raising up in myself that which had fallen; learning to deal more wisely with the things of sense; working out my own tranquillity, and thus rendering that which is its due to every relation of life…. If death surprise me thus employed, it is enough if I can stretch forth my hands to God and say, “The faculties which I received at Thy hands for apprehending this thine Administration, I have not neglected. As far as in me lay, I have done Thee no dishonour. Behold how I have used the senses, the primary conceptions which Thou gavest me. Have I ever laid anything to Thy charge? Have I ever murmured at aught that came to pass, or wished it otherwise? Have I in anything transgressed the relations of life? For that Thou didst beget me, I thank Thee for that Thou hast given: for the time during which I have used the things that were Thine, it suffices me. Take them back and place them wherever Thou wilt! They were all Thine, and Thou gavest them me.”—If a man depart thus minded, is it not enough? What life is fairer or more noble, what end happier than his? (189).

“How can it be that one who hath nothing”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: How can it be that one who hath nothing, neither raiment, nor house, nor home, nor bodily tendance, nor servant, nor city, should live tranquil and contented? Behold God hath sent you a man to show you in act and deed that it may be so. Behold me! I have neither city nor house nor possessions nor servants: the ground is my couch; I have no wife, no children, no shelter—nothing but earth and sky, and one poor cloak. And what lack I yet? am I not untouched by sorrow, by fear? am I not free?... when have I laid anything to the charge of God or Man? when have I accused any? hath any of you seen me with a sorrowful countenance? And in what wise treat I those to whom you stand in fear and awe? Is it not as slaves? Who when he seeth me doth not think that he beholdeth his Master and his King? (114).

“If a man would pursue Philosophy, his first task is to throw away conceit. For it is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he has a conceit that he already knows.”

72
Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Variante: It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.

“A guide, on finding a man who has lost his way, brings him back to the right path—he does not mock and jeer at him and then take himself off.”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: A guide, on finding a man who has lost his way, brings him back to the right path—he does not mock and jeer at him and then take himself off. You also must show the unlearned man the truth, and you will see that he will follow. But so long as you do not show it him, you should not mock, but rather feel your own incapacity. (63).

“God hath introduced Man to be a spectator of Himself and of His works; and”

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Kontext: But God hath introduced Man to be a spectator of Himself and of His works; and not a spectator only, but also an interpreter of them. Wherefore it is a shame for man to begin and to leave off where the brutes do. Rather he should begin there, and leave off where Nature leaves off in us: and that is at contemplation, and understanding, and a manner of life that is in harmony with herself. See then that ye die not without being spectators of these things. (13).

“In every affair consider what precedes and what follows, and then undertake it.”

That Everything is to be undertaken with Circumspection, Chap. xv.
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)

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