Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 50 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 50
Whatever things (rules) are proposed to you [for the conduct of life] abide by them, as if they were laws, as if you would be guilty of impiety if you transgressed any of them. And whatever any man shall say about you, do not attend to it: for this is no affair of yours.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 50, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/50
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesTreat the principles you have chosen as laws you would feel guilty for breaking, and do not pay attention to what people say about you, because that is none of your business.
Older wording
- “impiety”
- — disrespect toward the gods
- “transgressed”
- — broke or violated
Themes and situations
- Self-discipline and habit
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Virtue and character
- What is in our control
- Being criticised or insulted
- Breaking a bad habit
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