Skip to content
What Would Stoics Do

Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE

Fragments 7 — Epictetus

Translation by George Long (1877)

Epictetus, Fragments 7

If you wish to be well spoken of, learn to speak well (of others): and when you have learned to speak well of them, try to act well, and so you will reap the fruit of being well spoken of.
— Epictetus, Fragments 7 · tr. George Long (1877)Read in context →

Cite this passage

Epictetus, Fragments 7, tr. George Long (1877)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/7

Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences

Read Fragments in context →

In plain English

AI-written notes

If you want a good reputation, begin by speaking well of other people, and then make sure you actually behave well, since a good name follows good conduct.

Themes and situations

  • Reputation and others' opinions
  • Speech and silence
  • Kindness and forgiveness
  • Virtue and character
  • Being criticised or insulted
  • Conflict at work

Quote cards

The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.