Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 63 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 63
It is better when you judge justly to be blamed undeservedly by him who has been condemned than when you judge unjustly to be justly blamed by (before) nature.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 63, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/63
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesIt is better to decide fairly and be unfairly blamed by the person you ruled against than to decide unfairly and deserve blame in the eyes of nature. Being truly in the wrong is worse than being wrongly blamed.
Older wording
- “condemned”
- — found guilty, the person who lost the case
Themes and situations
- Justice and fairness
- Virtue and character
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Courage
- An ethical dilemma
- Being criticised or insulted
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.