“If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, “He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.” ― Epictetus
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Epictetus was a Greek philosopher who lived during the first and second centuries AD. He is best known for his teachings on stoicism, a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life by practicing self-control and accepting what we cannot change. Epictetus was born a slave, but later gained his freedom and became a teacher of philosophy.
In this quote, Epictetus advises us not to make excuses when someone speaks ill of us, but instead to acknowledge that the person may not be aware of all of our faults. In other words, we should not try to defend ourselves or justify our actions, but rather accept that we are imperfect and that others may not see all sides of us.
This approach can be difficult, especially when we feel attacked or misunderstood. It’s natural to want to defend ourselves and explain our actions when someone speaks negatively about us. However, Epictetus’s quote reminds us that it’s important to maintain our own sense of self-worth and not let the words of others define us.
Furthermore, this quote suggests that we should not take criticism too seriously, especially when it comes from someone who doesn’t know us well or who may not have all of the facts. Instead, we should strive to be self-aware and recognize that we all have flaws and limitations. By accepting this and focusing on improving ourselves, we can become more resilient and better equipped to handle negative comments and criticism.
If you found this post about how to respond to criticism according to Epictetus and the importance of embracing imperfection thought-provoking and insightful, we encourage you to leave a comment and share your thoughts and reflections. Your input and perspective can help enrich the conversation and inspire others to consider the ways in which they can use criticism as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement. Sharing this post can also help spread the message and encourage more people to think about the value of being open to feedback and the importance of recognizing that we are all imperfect and have room to learn and grow. So don’t hesitate, leave a comment and share this post today!
Sapiens Verbum 