"People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them"
- Epictetus
About this Quote
This quote by Epictetus recommends that it is not the events or circumstances of our lives that trigger us distress, however rather our point of view on them. He is recommending that our mindset and outlook on life can have a substantial impact on our psychological wellbeing. It is not the occasions themselves that cause us to feel upset, however rather our analysis of them. We can choose to view a situation in a positive light, or we can choose to concentrate on the negative aspects. By altering our perspective, we can modify our psychological response to a circumstance. This quote encourages us to take an action back and consider our outlook on life, and to be mindful of how our attitude can impact our psychological wellness. It is a suggestion that we have the power to select how we view the world, and that our attitude can have an extensive impact on our lives.