A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion — John Shaqi
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the EncheiridionEpictetus
Philosophy
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion
Epictetus
Philosophy -- Early works to 1800
For this reason philosophers admonish us not to be satisfied with
learning only, but also to add study, and then practice. For we have
long been accustomed to do contrary things, and we put in practice
opinions which are contrary to true opinions. If then we shall not also
put in practice right opinions, we shall be nothing more than the
expositors of the opinions of others. For now who among us is not able
to discourse according to the rules of art about good and evil things
(in this fashion)? That of things some are good, and some are bad, and
some are indifferent: the good then are virtues, and the things which
participate in virtues; and the bad are the contrary; and the
indifferent are wealth, health, reputation. Then, if in the midst of
our talk there should happen some greater noise than usual, or some of
those who are present should laugh at us, we are disturbed.
Philosopher, where are the things which you were talking about? Whence
did you produce and utter them? From the lips, and thence only. Why
then do you corrupt the aids provided by others? Why do you treat the
weightiest matters as if you were playing a game of dice? For it is one
thing to lay up bread and wine as in a storehouse, and another thing to
eat. That which has been eaten, is digested, distributed, and is become
sinews, flesh, bones, blood, healthy color, healthy breath. Whatever is
stored up, when you choose you can readily take and show it; but you
have no other advantage from it except so far as to appear to possess
it. For what is the difference between explaining these doctrines and
those of men who have different opinions? Sit down now and explain
according to the rules of art the opinions of Epicurus, and perhaps you
will explain his opinions in a more useful manner than Epicurus
himself. Why then do you call yourself a Stoic? Why do you deceive the
many? Why do you act the part of a Jew, when you are a Greek? Do you
not see how (why) each is called a Jew, or a Syrian, or an Egyptian?
and when we see a man inclining to two sides, we are accustomed to say,
This man is not a Jew, but he acts as one. But when he has assumed the
affects of one who has been imbued with Jewish doctrine and has adopted
that sect, then he is in fact and he is named a Jew.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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