Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems. – Epictetus
This quote by Epictetus suggests that humans often experience more distress from their imagined fears and anxieties than from actual problems themselves. The real issues we face may not be as troubling as the way our minds perceive and amplify them. Epictetus implies that our thoughts and the way we anticipate potential challenges can create more suffering than the reality of the situations. This highlights the importance of managing our thoughts and focusing on realistic assessments, rather than letting our imaginations generate unnecessary worry.
Quote By: Epictetus
Epictetus (c. 55-135 AD) was a Greek Stoic philosopher born a slave in Phrygia, later gaining his freedom and establishing a school of philosophy in Nicopolis, Greece. His teachings emphasized the importance of inner virtue and self-control over external circumstances, encapsulated in his famous assertion that it is not events themselves that disturb us, but our judgments about them. His ideas have profoundly influenced both ancient and modern philosophy, particularly through the writings of his student Arrian, notably in the "Discourses" and the "Enchiridion."
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