Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 3.22 ¶15 — Epictetus
From “About Cynism”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 3.22 ¶15
It is necessary also for such a man (the Cynic) to have a certain habit of body: for if he appears to be consumptive, thin and pale, his testimony has not then the same weight. For he must not only by showing the qualities of the soul prove to the vulgar that it is in his power independent of the things which they admire to be a good man, but he must also show by his body that his simple and frugal way of living in the open air does not injure even the body. See, he says, I am a proof of this, and my own body also is. So Diogenes used to do, for he used to go about fresh looking, and he attracted the notice of the many by his personal appearance. But if a Cynic is an object of compassion, he seems to be a beggar: all persons turn away from him, all are offended with him; for neither ought he to appear dirty so that he shall not also in this respect drive away men; but his very roughness ought to be clean and attractive.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 3.22 ¶15, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/3.22.15
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesSomeone who preaches simple living should look healthy and clean, because a sickly, dirty or pitiful appearance undercuts the message and drives people away. The body should show that living plainly does no harm.
Older wording
- “consumptive”
- — suffering from a wasting disease such as tuberculosis
- “the vulgar”
- — ordinary people untrained in philosophy
Themes and situations
- Simplicity and frugality
- Virtue and character
- Pride and humility
- Self-discipline and habit
- Reputation and others' opinions
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