When one of those who were present said, “Persuade me that logic is necessary,” he replied: Do you wish me to prove this to you? The answer was “Yes.” Then I must use a demonstrative form of speech.—This was granted.—How then will you know if I am cheating you by my argument? The man was silent. Do you see, said Epictetus, that you yourself are admitting that logic is necessary, if without it you cannot know so much as this, whether logic is necessary or not necessary?
Epictetus · Discourses · Book II, Chapter 25
That Logic Is Necessary
Translation by George Long (1877) · 1 passage
The numbers in the margin are standard references — select one to open that passage with its full citation.