Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 6 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 6
Be not elated at any advantage (excellence), which belongs to another. If a horse when he is elated should say, I am beautiful, one might endure it. But when you are elated, and say, I have a beautiful horse, you must know that you are elated at having a good horse. What then is your own? The use of appearances. Consequently when in the use of appearances you are conformable to nature, then be elated, for then you will be elated at something good which is your own.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 6, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/6
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesDo not feel proud of advantages that are not really yours, like owning a fine horse, since that is the horse's excellence and not yours. The only thing that is truly yours is how well you handle your impressions, so take pride, if at all, in meeting things according to nature.
Older wording
- “elated”
- — puffed up with pride
- “appearances”
- — the impressions your mind receives of things
Themes and situations
- Pride and humility
- What is in our control
- Virtue and character
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Handling success
Quote cards
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