Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.3 ¶2 — Epictetus
From “How a Man Should Proceed from the Principle of God Being the Father of All Men to the Rest”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.3 ¶2
Through this kinship with the flesh, some of us inclining to it become like wolves, faithless and treacherous and mischievous; some become like lions, savage and bestial and untamed; but the greater part of us become foxes, and other worse animals. For what else is a slanderer and a malignant man than a fox, or some other more wretched and meaner animal? See then and take care that you do not become some one of these miserable things.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.3 ¶2, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.3.2
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesThose who give in to the animal side of their nature turn into wolves, lions or foxes, which stand for treachery, savagery and cunning, and a slanderer or spiteful person is no better than a fox. Take care not to become one of these creatures.
Older wording
- “malignant”
- — spiteful and wishing others harm
Themes and situations
- Virtue and character
- Speech and silence
- Self-discipline and habit
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