Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.28 ¶2 — Epictetus
From “That We Ought Not to Be Angry with Men; and What Are the Small and the Great Things Among Men”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.28 ¶2
Whoever then clearly remembers this, that to man the measure of every act is the appearance (the opinion)—whether the thing appears good or bad: if good, he is free from blame; if bad, himself suffers the penalty, for it is impossible that he who is deceived can be one person, and he who suffers another person—whoever remembers this will not be angry with any man, will not be vexed at any man, will not revile or blame any man, nor hate nor quarrel with any man.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.28 ¶2, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.28.2
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesEveryone acts on how things appear to them. If the act seemed good to them they are free of blame, and if it was bad, they are the ones who suffer for being mistaken. Remembering this removes any reason to be angry with, insult, hate or quarrel with another person.
Older wording
- “appearance”
- — an impression, the way a thing strikes your mind
- “vexed”
- — annoyed and troubled
- “revile”
- — abuse with insults
Themes and situations
- Anger
- Judgements and impressions
- Kindness and forgiveness
- What is in our control
- Being angry with someone
- Conflict at work
- Family conflict
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.