Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.12 ¶1 — Epictetus
From “Of Contentment”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.12 ¶1
With respect to gods, there are some who say that a divine being does not exist: others say that it exists, but is inactive and careless, and takes no forethought about anything; a third class say that such a being exists and exercises forethought, but only about great things and heavenly things, and about nothing on the earth; a fourth class say that a divine being exercises forethought both about things on the earth and heavenly things, but in a general way only, and not about things severally. There is a fifth class to whom Ulysses and Socrates belong, who say: “I move not without thy knowledge” (Iliad x 278).
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.12 ¶1, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.12.1
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA list of five positions on the gods: none exist; they exist but do nothing; they care only about the heavens; they care only in a general way; or they know and care about every individual. It is a set-up for the argument that follows and gives no practical guidance by itself.
Older wording
- “forethought”
- — careful concern and planning for what happens
Themes and situations
- Nature and the cosmos
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.