Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 3.14 ¶4 — Epictetus
From “Certain Miscellaneous Matters”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 3.14 ¶4
You must root out of men these two things: arrogance (pride) and distrust. Arrogance then is the opinion that you want nothing (are deficient in nothing): but distrust is the opinion that you cannot be happy when so many circumstances surround you. Arrogance is removed by confutation; and Socrates was the first who practiced this. And (to know) that the thing is not impossible, inquire and seek. This search will do you no harm; and in a manner this is philosophizing: to seek how it is possible to employ desire and aversion (ἐκκλίσει) without impediment.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 3.14 ¶4, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/3.14.4
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesTwo mistakes need rooting out: arrogance, the belief that you lack nothing, and distrust, the belief that you cannot be happy with so many outside circumstances around you. Questioning exposes arrogance, and the answer to distrust is to keep looking for how to want and avoid things without being blocked.
Older wording
- “confutation”
- — being refuted through questioning
- “aversion”
- — what you try to avoid or push away
Themes and situations
- Pride and humility
- Judgements and impressions
- Learning and progress
- Fear and anxiety
- Peace of mind
- Handling success
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