Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 2.17 ¶8 — Epictetus
From “How We Must Adapt Preconceptions to Particular Cases”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 2.17 ¶8
Casting away then, as I say, this conceit of thinking that we know something useful, we must come to philosophy as we apply to geometry, and to music: but if we do not, we shall not even approach to proficiency though we read all the collections and commentaries of Chrysippus and those of Antipater and Archedemus.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 2.17 ¶8, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/2.17.8
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesLearn philosophy the way you learn geometry or music, which starts with dropping the belief that you already know what matters. Without that humility, reading every commentary by the great teachers will not move you any closer to improvement.
Older wording
- “conceit”
- — excessive pride in your own understanding
- “commentaries”
- — explanatory books on earlier writings
Themes and situations
- Learning and progress
- Pride and humility
- Judgements and impressions
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