Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.26 ¶2 — Epictetus
From “What Is the Law of Life”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.26 ¶2
When Epictetus had reproved (called) the person who was reading the hypothetical arguments, and the teacher who had suggested the reading was laughing at the reader, Epictetus said to the teacher, “You are laughing at yourself: you did not prepare the young man nor did you ascertain whether he was able to understand these matters; but perhaps, you are only employing him as a reader.” Well then said Epictetus, if a man has not ability enough to understand a complex (syllogism), do we trust him in giving praise, do we trust him in giving blame, do we allow that he is able to form a judgment about good or bad? and if such a man blames anyone, does the man care for the blame? and if he praises anyone, is the man elated, when in such small matters as a hypothetical syllogism he who praises cannot see what is consequent on the hypothesis?
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.26 ¶2, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.26.2
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesSomeone who cannot follow even a simple logical argument is in no position to judge you well, so there is little reason to feel flattered by their praise or hurt by their blame. Before caring what people think, ask whether they are competent to judge.
Older wording
- “syllogism”
- — a formal logical argument with premises and a conclusion
Themes and situations
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Insult and criticism
- Judgements and impressions
- Being criticised or insulted
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