Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 26 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 26
Neither is a horse elated nor proud of his manger and trappings and coverings, nor a bird of his little shreds of cloth and of his nest: but both of them are proud of their swiftness, one proud of the swiftness of the feet, and the other of the wings. Do you also then not be greatly proud of your food and dress and, in short, of any external things, but be proud of your integrity and good deeds (εὐποιία).
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 26, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/26
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA horse does not boast about its stable gear nor a bird about its nest; each takes pride in its own speed. Likewise, do not take pride in what you eat, wear or own, but in your honesty and the good you do for others.
Older wording
- “trappings”
- — decorative gear, outward show
- “manger”
- — a feeding trough
Themes and situations
- Pride and humility
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Virtue and character
- Simplicity and frugality
- Handling success
- Envy and comparison
- Money, status and wanting more
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