Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 134 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 134
Remember that such was, and is, and will be the nature of the universe, and that it is not possible that the things which come into being can come into being otherwise than they do now; and that not only men have participated in this change and transmutation, and all other living things which are on the earth, but also the things which are divine. And indeed the very four elements are changed and transmuted up and down, and earth becomes water and water becomes air, and the air again is transmuted into other things, and the same manner of transmutation takes place from above to below. If a man attempts to turn his mind towards these thoughts, and to persuade himself to accept with willingness that which is necessary, he will pass through life with complete moderation and harmony.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 134, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/134
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesEverything that exists, even the elements and divine things, is constantly changing into something else, and it always has been and always will be. Keep this in mind and willingly accept what is unavoidable, and you will live calmly and in harmony.
Older wording
- “transmutation”
- — transformation of one thing into another
- “four elements”
- — earth, water, air and fire, the ancient building blocks of nature
Themes and situations
- Change and impermanence
- Acceptance and fate
- Nature and the cosmos
- Peace of mind
- Anxiety about the future
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