Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 34 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 34
If you have received the impression (φαντασίαν) of any pleasure, guard yourself against being carried away by it; but let the thing wait for you, and allow yourself a certain delay on your own part. Then think of both times, of the time when you will enjoy the pleasure, and of the time after the enjoyment of the pleasure when you will repent and will reproach yourself. And set against these things how you will rejoice if you have abstained from the pleasure, and how you will commend yourself. But if it seem to you seasonable to undertake (do) the thing, take care that the charm of it, and the pleasure, and the attraction of it shall not conquer you: but set on the other side the consideration how much better it is to be conscious that you have gained this victory.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 34, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/34
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen a pleasure tempts you, pause and let it wait, then picture both the enjoyment and the regret and self-reproach that come after, and compare that with how good you will feel for having resisted. If you do decide to go ahead, do not let its charm overpower you, and remember how much better it is to know you won.
Older wording
- “seasonable”
- — appropriate, timely
- “repent”
- — feel regret
Themes and situations
- Self-discipline and habit
- Pleasure and pain
- Desire and craving
- Preparing for difficulty
- Breaking a bad habit
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.