Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 2.10 ¶2 — Epictetus
From “How We May Discover the Duties of Life from Names”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 2.10 ¶2
After this remember that you are a son. What does this character promise? To consider that everything which is the son’s belongs to the father, to obey him in all things, never to blame him to another, nor to say or do anything which does him injury, to yield to him in all things and give way, cooperating with him as far as you can. After this know that you are a brother also, and that to this character it is due to make concessions; to be easily persuaded, to speak good of your brother, never to claim in opposition to him any of the things which are independent of the will, but readily to give them up, that you may have the larger share in what is dependent on the will. For see what a thing it is, in place of a lettuce, if it should so happen, or a seat, to gain for yourself goodness of disposition. How great is the advantage.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 2.10 ¶2, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/2.10.2
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesEach role carries duties: a son defers to his father and never speaks ill of him, and a brother makes concessions and gives way over small things such as a seat or a lettuce, gaining goodness of character in exchange. The advice to obey a parent in everything reflects ancient family norms, but the point about giving up trivial advantages in a sibling dispute is easy to apply.
Older wording
- “concessions”
- — compromises, giving way on a point
- “independent of the will”
- — outside your own power of choice
- “disposition”
- — your inner temperament or character
Themes and situations
- Family and love
- Duty and roles
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Virtue and character
- What is in our control
- Family conflict
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