Buy yourself a beat before you react.
Epictetus, Enchiridion 20
The source
"Buy yourself a beat before you react." Epictetus said it in Enchiridion 20. Translated by George Long, 1877.
"if you once gain time and delay, you will more easily master yourself"George Long, 1877, Enchiridion 20.
Who said it
Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD). Born enslaved, became the most influential Stoic teacher of his age. His student Arrian wrote down the Discourses and the Enchiridion.
Questions
- Who said "Buy yourself a beat before you react."?
- Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD). Source: Enchiridion 20.
- What is the original wording?
- if you once gain time and delay, you will more easily master yourself (George Long, 1877). Translated by George Long, 1877.
Filed under Calm.
Wear Epictetus
Don't wish it went your way. Want it the way it goes, and flow.
Epictetus, Enchiridion 8
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Everything has two handles. Grab the one you can carry.
Epictetus, Enchiridion 43
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I'll never be Milo. I still train.
Epictetus, Discourses 1.2.37
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A calm mind is a citadel.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.48
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More from Epictetus
- Some things are yours. Some aren't. Sort them first.Enchiridion 1
- To every scary thought: you're an appearance, not the real thing.Enchiridion 1
- Things don't upset people. Their opinions about things do.Enchiridion 5
- Rookies blame others. Learners blame themselves. Masters blame no one.Enchiridion 5
- Don't wish it went your way. Want it the way it goes, and flow.Enchiridion 8
- Never say "I lost it." Say "I gave it back."Enchiridion 11