Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.25 ¶6 — Epictetus
From “On the Same”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.25 ¶6
This was the practice of Socrates: this was the reason why he always had one face. But we choose to practice and study anything rather than the means by which we shall be unimpeded and free. You say, “Philosophers talk paradoxes.” But are there no paradoxes in the other arts? and what is more paradoxical than to puncture a man’s eye in order that he may see? If anyone said this to a man ignorant of the surgical art, would he not ridicule the speaker? Where is the wonder then if in philosophy also many things which are true appear paradoxical to the inexperienced?
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.25 ¶6, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.25.6
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesPeople will study anything except what would make them free and unhindered, and then call philosophy paradoxical. Truth often sounds odd to the inexperienced, just as piercing an eye to restore sight sounds absurd to anyone ignorant of surgery.
Older wording
- “paradoxes”
- — claims that seem absurd but may be true
Themes and situations
- Learning and progress
- Freedom
- Virtue and character
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