Skip to content

Order by December 10 for delivery before Christmas. Shop gifts

First decide who you want to be. Then do what that takes.

Epictetus, Discourses 3.23

The source

"First decide who you want to be. Then do what that takes." Epictetus said it in Discourses 3.23. Translated by George Long, 1877.

"First say to yourself who you wish to be, then do accordingly what you are doing"

George Long, 1877, Discourses 3.23.

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 "First decide who you want to be. Then do what that takes."?
Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD). Source: Discourses 3.23.
What is the original wording?
First say to yourself who you wish to be, then do accordingly what you are doing (George Long, 1877). Translated by George Long, 1877.

Filed under Grit.

More from Epictetus