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What Would Stoics Do

Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE

Fragments 116 — Epictetus

Translation by George Long (1877)

Epictetus, Fragments 116

Over your wine do not talk much to display your learning; for you will utter bilious stuff.
— Epictetus, Fragments 116 · tr. George Long (1877)Read in context →

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Epictetus, Fragments 116, tr. George Long (1877)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/116

Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences

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In plain English

AI-written notes

Do not show off your knowledge at length over drinks, because you will end up saying sour or unwise things. Wine and showing off make for poor conversation.

Older wording

“bilious”
— bitter, ill-tempered

Themes and situations

  • Speech and silence
  • Pride and humility
  • Self-discipline and habit

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