The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.
Epictetus
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About the Author
Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey) and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece for the rest of his life.
Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all external events are beyond our control; we should accept calmly and dispassionately whatever happens. However, individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline.
Born: AD 50 Hierapolis, Phrygia (presumed)
Died: AD 135 (aged 79–80) Nicopolis, Achaea
Profession: Philosopher
Nationality: Greek
