Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Enchiridion 40 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Enchiridion 40
Women forthwith from the age of fourteen are called by the men mistresses (κυρίαι, dominae). Therefore since they see that there is nothing else that they can obtain, but only the power of lying with men, they begin to decorate themselves, and to place all their hopes in this. It is worth our while then to take care that they may know that they are valued (by men) for nothing else than appearing (being) decent and modest and discreet.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Enchiridion 40, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/enchiridion/40
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWomen are treated as sexual objects from adolescence, so they come to pin their hopes on appearance. The suggestion is that they should be shown they are valued for decency, modesty and sound character instead. It reflects the assumptions of its time and treats women as a single group.
Older wording
- “mistresses”
- — a polite form of address for ladies of the house, not lovers
Themes and situations
- Virtue and character
- Desire and craving
- Reputation and others' opinions
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