Skip to content
What Would Stoics Do

Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE

Fragments 171 — Epictetus

Translation by George Long (1877)

Epictetus, Fragments 171

The same person said, It is not good for him who has been well taught to talk among the untaught, as it is not right for him who is sober to talk among those who are drunk.
— Epictetus, Fragments 171 · tr. George Long (1877)Read in context →

Cite this passage

Epictetus, Fragments 171, tr. George Long (1877)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/171

Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences

Read Fragments in context →

In plain English

AI-written notes

A person who has trained their mind will get nowhere arguing with people who have no interest in learning, just as a sober person gains nothing by trying to reason with the drunk. Pick your company and your conversations with care.

Themes and situations

  • Speech and silence
  • Learning and progress
  • Friendship

Quote cards

The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.