Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 76 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 76
Note: An anecdote about Solon preserved among Epictetus’s fragments — not Epictetus’s own words.
Solon having been asked by Periander over their cups (παρὰ πότον), since he happened to say nothing, Whether he was silent for want of words or because he was a fool, replied: No fool is able to be silent over his cups.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 76, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/76
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesAsked by Periander whether his silence at a drinking party came from having nothing to say or from foolishness, Solon replied that no fool can keep quiet when drinking. Holding your tongue when wine tempts you to talk is a mark of sense.
Older wording
- “cups”
- — drinking, a drinking party
Themes and situations
- Speech and silence
- Self-discipline and habit
- Pride and humility
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