Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.2 ¶8 — Epictetus
From “How a Man on Every Occasion Can Maintain His Proper Character”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.2 ¶8
Some person asked, “how then shall every man among us perceive what is suitable to his character?” How, he replied, does the bull alone, when the lion has attacked, discover his own powers and put himself forward in defense of the whole herd? It is plain that with the powers the perception of having them is immediately conjoined: and, therefore, whoever of us has such powers will not be ignorant of them. Now a bull is not made suddenly, nor a brave man; but we must discipline ourselves in the winter for the summer campaign, and not rashly run upon that which does not concern us.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.2 ¶8, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.2.8
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA bull knows his own strength when the lion attacks and steps forward to defend the herd, and likewise people with real inner strength will recognise it when the time comes. Such strength is not made overnight, so train in the winter for the summer campaign and do not rush into things that are none of your concern.
Older wording
- “conjoined”
- — joined together
Themes and situations
- Self-discipline and habit
- Courage
- Learning and progress
- Virtue and character
- Fear of failure
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