Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.2 ¶4 — Epictetus
From “How a Man on Every Occasion Can Maintain His Proper Character”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.2 ¶4
Priscus Helvidius also saw this, and acted conformably. For when Vespasian sent and commanded him not to go into the senate, he replied, “It is in your power not to allow me to be a member of the senate, but so long as I am, I must go in.” “Well, go in then,” says the emperor, “but say nothing.” “Do not ask my opinion, and I will be silent.” “But I must ask your opinion.” “And I must say what I think right.” “But if you do, I shall put you to death.” “When then did I tell you that I am immortal? You will do your part, and I will do mine: it is your part to kill; it is mine to die, but not in fear: yours to banish me; mine to depart without sorrow.”
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.2 ¶4, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.2.4
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen the emperor forbade a senator to speak and threatened him with death, the senator answered that the ruler may do his part, which is to kill or banish, but that he would do his, which is to speak what he thinks right and to meet death or exile without fear or sorrow. Doing your own role well matters more than the power someone else holds over you.
Themes and situations
- Courage
- Virtue and character
- Duty and roles
- What is in our control
- Freedom
- An ethical dilemma
- Being treated unfairly
- A difficult boss
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