Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 30 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 30
Duties are universally measured by relations (ταῖς σχέσεσι). Is a man a father? The precept is to take care of him, to yield to him in all things, to submit when he is reproachful, when he inflicts blows. But suppose that he is a bad father. Were you then by nature made akin to a good father? No; but to a father. Does a brother wrong you? Maintain then your own position towards him, and do not examine what he is doing, but what you must do that your will shall be conformable to nature. For another will not damage you, unless you choose: but you will be damaged then when you shall think that you are damaged. In this way then you will discover your duty from the relation of a neighbour, from that of a citizen, from that of a general, if you are accustomed to contemplate the relations.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 30, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/30
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWork out your duty from the relationship you are in, such as child, sibling, neighbour or citizen, and not from how well the other person behaves. A bad father is still your father and a wrongdoing brother does not change what you owe, and since nobody can harm you unless your own judgement is harmed, focus on keeping your conduct right.
Older wording
- “relations”
- — your roles toward others, such as father, brother or citizen
- “precept”
- — a rule of conduct
Themes and situations
- Duty and roles
- Family and love
- What is in our control
- Judgements and impressions
- Family conflict
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