As a quote of the day, Epictetus’ words carry a simple but powerful message about the connection between identity and action. The quote suggests that before deciding what to do, a person should first consider what kind of person they want to be. Once that direction is clear, everyday choices can be shaped around it.
The quote of the day by Epictetus comes from Book III, Chapter 23 of the Discourses . The passage continues by using athletes as an example, showing that people who pursue different goals must prepare and act differently according to what they have chosen to become.