Wealth is a loan. Happiness is a choice.
Epictetus, Fragment 19
The source
"Wealth is a loan. Happiness is a choice." Epictetus said it in Fragment 19. Translated by George Long, 1877.
"the one is a temporary loan of fortune, and happiness comes from the will"George Long, 1877, Fragment 19. Ancient fragment attributed to Epictetus; authenticity disputed, so credit as "attributed to Epictetus".
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 "Wealth is a loan. Happiness is a choice."?
- Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD). Source: Fragment 19.
- What is the original wording?
- the one is a temporary loan of fortune, and happiness comes from the will (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