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The Teaching of Epictetus

Epictetus (trans. T. W. Rolleston) · c. 108 CE primary

passage 103 of 145 · CHAPTER I.

in brief
Epictetus says philosophy should not be driven away by bodily appearance; philosophers should appear cheerful despite hardship, and he contrasts a condemned-criminal appearance with the freedom and composure of the philosophical life.

WHY WE SHOULD BEAR WITH WRONG.

When some one may do you an injury, or speak ill of you, remember that he either does it or speaks it believing that it is right and meet for him to do so. It is not possible, then, that he can follow the thing that appears to you, but the thing that appears to him. Wherefore, if it appear evil to him, it is he that is injured, being deceived. For also if any one should take a true consequence to be false, it is not the consequence that is injured, but he which is deceived. Setting out, then, from these opinions, you will bear a gentle mind towards any man who may revile you. For, say on each occasion, So it appeared to him.

THAT EVERYTHING HATH TWO HANDLES.

Every matter hath two handles--by the one it may be carried; by the other, not. If thy brother do thee wrong, take not this thing by the handle, He wrongs me; for that is the handle whereby it may not be carried. But take it rather by the handle, He is my brother, nourished with me; and thou wilt take it by a handle whereby it may be carried.

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topics: justice as a virtue · mourning and grief · the fear of death

The Teaching of Epictetus · Epictetus (trans. T. W. Rolleston) · 100–135