Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.27 ¶4 — Epictetus
From “In How Many Ways Appearances Exist, and What Aids We Should Provide Against Them”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.27 ¶4
What then? Ought we not with all our power to hold to this also, the maintaining of general opinion, and fortifying ourselves against the arguments which are directed against it? Who denies that we ought to do this? Well, he should do it who is able, who has leisure for it; but as to him who trembles and is perturbed and is inwardly broken in heart (spirit), he must employ his time better on something else.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.27 ¶4, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.27.4
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesDefending common sense against sceptical arguments is fine work for people with spare time and a settled mind, but someone who is trembling and broken-hearted inside has more urgent matters to work on first. Deal with your own turmoil before debating abstractions.
Older wording
- “perturbed”
- — disturbed in mind, agitated
Themes and situations
- Learning and progress
- Emotions and the passions
- Fear and anxiety
- Anxiety about the future
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