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What Would Stoics Do

Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE

Fragments 170 — Epictetus

Translation by George Long (1877)

Epictetus, Fragments 170

When a young man was boasting in the theatre and saying, I am wise, for I have conversed with many wise men; Epictetus said, I also have conversed with many rich men, but I am not rich.
— Epictetus, Fragments 170 · tr. George Long (1877)Read in context →

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Epictetus, Fragments 170, tr. George Long (1877)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/170

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

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Spending time around wise people, or reading their words, does not make you wise any more than sitting with rich people makes you rich. Wisdom has to be practised and lived by you, and name-dropping your teachers or connections is empty boasting.

Themes and situations

  • Pride and humility
  • Learning and progress
  • Reputation and others' opinions
  • Handling success

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Epictetus, Fragments 170, tr. George Long (1877)