Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 42 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 42
When any person treats you ill or speaks ill of you, remember that he does this or says this because he thinks that it is his duty. It is not possible then for him to follow that which seems right to you, but that which seems right to himself. Accordingly if he is wrong in his opinion, he is the person who is hurt, for he is the person who has been deceived; for if a man shall suppose the true conjunction to be false, it is not the conjunction which is hindered, but the man who has been deceived about it. If you proceed then from these opinions, you will be mild in temper to him who reviles you: for say on each occasion, It seemed so to him.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 42, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/42
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen someone treats you badly or speaks ill of you, remember they are acting on what seems right to them. If they are mistaken, they are the ones who are deceived and harmed, so respond with mildness and tell yourself it seemed that way to them.
Older wording
- “reviles”
- — verbally abuses
- “conjunction”
- — a logical statement joining two claims with both-and
Themes and situations
- Anger
- Insult and criticism
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Judgements and impressions
- Justice and fairness
- Being angry with someone
- Being criticised or insulted
- Conflict at work
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