Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.21 — Epictetus
From “Against Those Who Wish to Be Admired”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.21
When a man holds his proper station in life, he does not gape after things beyond it. Man, what do you wish to happen to you? I am satisfied if I desire and avoid conformably to nature, if I employ movements towards and from an object as I am by nature formed to do, and purpose and design and assent. Why then do you strut before us as if you had swallowed a spit? “My wish has always been that those who meet me should admire me, and those who follow me should exclaim ‘O the great philosopher.’” Who are they by whom you wish to be admired? Are they not those of whom you are used to say, that they are mad? Well then do you wish to be admired by madmen?
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.21, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.21
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA person at ease with their own role concentrates on getting their desires and choices right rather than impressing others. Wanting to be admired as a great philosopher means seeking praise from the very people you privately think are foolish, which makes no sense.
Older wording
- “conformably to nature”
- — in harmony with nature and reason
- “assent”
- — agreement with, or acceptance of, a claim
Themes and situations
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Pride and humility
- Virtue and character
- Handling success
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