"To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete"
- Epictetus
About this Quote
This quote by Epictetus speaks with the significance of education and self-reflection. He recommends that when we are confronted with misery, our initial reaction can be to blame others. This is a sign of an illiteracy, as it implies that we are unable to take obligation for our own actions. On the other hand, if we are able to take responsibility for our bad luck, it shows that our education has begun. Lastly, if we have the ability to neither blame ourselves nor others, it shows that our education is complete. This implies that we have reached a level of understanding and self-awareness that permits us to accept our bad luck without appointing blame. Ultimately, this quote encourages us to strive for a higher level of education and self-reflection in order to reach a location of understanding and approval.
"I spent three days a week for 10 years educating myself in the public library, and it's better than college. People should educate themselves - you can get a complete education for no money. At the end of 10 years, I had read every book in the library and I'd written a thousand stories"
