Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 17 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 17
Remember that thou art an actor in a play, of such a kind as the teacher (author) may choose; if short, of a short one; if long, of a long one: if he wishes you to act the part of a poor man, see that you act the part naturally; if the part of a lame man, of a magistrate, of a private person, (do the same). For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part, belongs to another.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 17, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/17
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesThink of yourself as an actor given a role by the playwright, short or long, poor or lame or powerful. Your job is to play that part well, and choosing the part is not up to you.
Older wording
- “magistrate”
- — a public official
Themes and situations
- Acceptance and fate
- Duty and roles
- What is in our control
- Virtue and character
- Losing money
- Illness or diagnosis
- Searching for meaning
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