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What Would Stoics Do

Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE

Fragments 2 — Epictetus

Translation by George Long (1877)

Epictetus, Fragments 2

A soul which is conversant with virtue is like an ever flowing source, for it is pure and tranquil and potable and sweet and communicative (social), and rich and harmless and free from mischief.
— Epictetus, Fragments 2 · tr. George Long (1877)Read in context →

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Epictetus, Fragments 2, tr. George Long (1877)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/2

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

A mind grounded in virtue is like a spring that never runs dry: clear, calm, pleasant, generous toward others and harmless.

Older wording

“potable”
— drinkable
“conversant with”
— familiar with, practised in

Themes and situations

  • Virtue and character
  • Peace of mind
  • Community and our duty to others

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