Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 19 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 19
You can be invincible, if you enter into no contest in which it is not in your power to conquer. Take care then when you observe a man honoured before others or possessed of great power or highly esteemed for any reason, not to suppose him happy, and be not carried away by the appearance. For if the nature of the good is in our power, neither envy nor jealousy will have a place in us. But you yourself will not wish to be a general or senator (πρύτανις) or consul, but a free man: and there is only one way to this, to despise (care not for) the things which are not in our power.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 19, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/19
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesYou become unbeatable by competing only in contests you can control. When you see someone honoured, powerful or admired, do not assume they are happy, and if real good lies in your own conduct, envy has no foothold, so you will want to be free more than you want to be a general or consul.
Older wording
- “senator”
- — a member of the Roman ruling council
- “consul”
- — one of Rome's two top elected officials
Themes and situations
- Envy and comparison
- Ambition and success
- What is in our control
- Freedom
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Envy and comparison
- A career setback
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