Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 35 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 35
Quarrelling and contention are everywhere foolish, and particularly in talk over wine they are unbecoming: for a man who is drunk could not teach a man who is sober, nor on the other hand could a drunken man be convinced by a sober man. But where there is not sobriety, it will appear that to no purpose have you laboured for the result of persuasion.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 35, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/35
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesArguing is pointless anywhere and especially over drinks: a drunk person cannot be taught by someone sober, nor persuaded by them. If the other person is not in a clear state of mind, your effort to convince them is wasted.
Older wording
- “contention”
- — quarrelling or heated dispute
- “sobriety”
- — being sober and clear-headed
Themes and situations
- Speech and silence
- Anger
- Self-discipline and habit
- Judgements and impressions
- Everyday irritations
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