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
Why then do you say nothing to me? I can only say this to you, that he
who knows not who he is, and for what purpose he exists, and what is
this world, and with whom he is associated, and what things are the
good and the bad, and the beautiful and the ugly, and who neither
understands discourse nor demonstration, nor what is true nor what is
false, and who is not able to distinguish them, will neither desire
according to nature nor turn away nor move towards, nor intend (to
act), nor assent, nor dissent, nor suspend his judgment: to say all in
a few words, he will go about dumb and blind, thinking that he is
somebody, but being nobody. Is this so now for the first time? Is it
not the fact that ever since the human race existed, all errors and
misfortunes have arisen through this ignorance?
This is all that I have to say to you; and I say even this not
willingly. Why? Because you have not roused me. For what must I look to
in order to be roused, as men who are expert in riding are roused by
generous horses? Must I look to your body? You treat it disgracefully.
To your dress? That is luxurious. To your behavior, to your look? That
is the same as nothing. When you would listen to a philosopher, do not
say to him, You tell me nothing; but only show yourself worthy of
hearing or fit for hearing; and you will see how you will move the
speaker.
THAT LOGIC IS NECESSARY.—When one of those who were present said,
Persuade me that logic is necessary, he replied, Do you wish me to
prove this to you? The answer was, Yes. Then I must use a demonstrative
form of speech. This was granted. How then will you know if I am
cheating you by my argument? The man was silent. Do you see, said
Epictetus, that you yourself are admitting that logic is necessary, if
without it you cannot know so much as this, whether logic is necessary
or not necessary?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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