Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 28 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 28
Let the measure to you of all food and drink be the first satisfying of the desire; and let the food and the pleasure be the desire (appetite) itself: and you will neither take more than is necessary, nor will you want cooks, and you will be satisfied with the drink that comes in the way.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 28, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/28
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesLet the pleasure of eating be simply satisfying your hunger, and treat the hunger itself as the best seasoning. Then you will not overeat, you will not need fancy chefs, and whatever drink is at hand will do.
Older wording
- “the first satisfying of the desire”
- — stopping once your hunger is met
Themes and situations
- Self-discipline and habit
- Simplicity and frugality
- Desire and craving
- Pleasure and pain
- Breaking a bad habit
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.