Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 3.22 ¶8 — Epictetus
From “About Cynism”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 3.22 ¶8
“And how is it possible that a man who has nothing, who is naked, houseless, without a hearth, squalid, without a slave, without a city, can pass a life that flows easily?” See, God has sent you a man to show you that it is possible. Look at me, who am without a city, without a house, without possessions, without a slave; I sleep on the ground; I have no wife, no children, no praetorium, but only the earth and heavens, and one poor cloak. And what do I want? Am I not without sorrow? am I not without fear? Am I not free? When did any of you see me failing in the object of my desire? or ever falling into that which I would avoid? did I ever blame God or man? did I ever accuse any man? did any of you ever see me with sorrowful countenance? And how do I meet with those whom you are afraid of and admire? Do not I treat them like slaves? Who, when he sees me, does not think that he sees his king and master?
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 3.22 ¶8, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/3.22.8
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA person with almost nothing, no house, property or family, can still live without sorrow, fear or complaint, which shows that a good life does not depend on possessions. The Cynic offers himself as living proof, noting that even the powerful people others fear and admire treat him as a master.
Older wording
- “praetorium”
- — a governor's residence or palace
- “countenance”
- — facial expression
Themes and situations
- Simplicity and frugality
- Freedom
- Peace of mind
- Wealth and poverty
- Fear and anxiety
- Losing money
- Money, status and wanting more
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.