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What Would Stoics Do

Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE

Fragments 40 — Epictetus

Translation by George Long (1877)

Epictetus, Fragments 40

Truth conquers with itself; but opinion conquers among those who are external.
— Epictetus, Fragments 40 · tr. George Long (1877)Read in context →

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Epictetus, Fragments 40, tr. George Long (1877)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/40

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

Truth wins on its own strength, while mere opinion wins only by persuading outsiders. Do not confuse popular approval with being right.

Older wording

“external”
— outsiders, people other than yourself

Themes and situations

  • Judgements and impressions
  • Reputation and others' opinions
  • Virtue and character
  • Learning and progress

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