Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 38 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 38
It is better by assenting to truth to conquer opinion, than by assenting to opinion to be conquered by truth.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 38, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/38
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesIt is better to accept what is true and so overcome a mere opinion than to cling to an opinion and be beaten by the truth. Being willing to change your mind is a win, not a loss.
Older wording
- “assenting”
- — agreeing to or accepting as true
Themes and situations
- Judgements and impressions
- Learning and progress
- Virtue and character
- Speech and silence
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