Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 3.1 ¶2 — Epictetus
From “Of Finery in Dress”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 3.1 ¶2
If you bring this charge against me hereafter, what defense shall I make? Why, shall I say that the man will not be persuaded by me? Was Laius persuaded by Apollo? Did he not go away and get drunk and show no care for the oracle? Well then for this reason did Apollo refuse to tell him the truth? I indeed do not know whether you will be persuaded by me or not; but Apollo knew most certainly that Laius would not be persuaded and yet he spoke. But why did he speak? I say in reply: But why is he Apollo, and why does he deliver oracles, and why has he fixed himself in this place as a prophet and source of truth and for the inhabitants of the world to resort to him? and why are the words “Know yourself” written in front of the temple, though no person takes any notice of them?
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 3.1 ¶2, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/3.1.2
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesYou should speak the truth even when you doubt the listener will take it in, just as the oracle of Apollo answered Laius although he ignored the warnings, because giving honest guidance is the very purpose of the role. The inscription Know yourself stood at Delphi though few paid it any attention.
Older wording
- “oracle”
- — a sacred source of divine answers, such as the shrine at Delphi
Themes and situations
- Speech and silence
- Duty and roles
- Virtue and character
- Learning and progress
- An ethical dilemma
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