Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 38 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 38
In walking about as you take care not to step on a nail or to sprain your foot, so take care not to damage your own ruling faculty: and if we observe this rule in every act, we shall undertake the act with more security.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 38, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/38
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesJust as you watch where you step to avoid a nail or a sprain, take the same care in everything you do not to damage your own reasoning mind, and you will act with more security.
Older wording
- “ruling faculty”
- — your reasoning mind
Themes and situations
- Self-discipline and habit
- Judgements and impressions
- Preparing for difficulty
- Virtue and character
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.