Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 173 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 173
Note: An anecdote about Socrates preserved among Epictetus’s fragments — not Epictetus’s own words.
Xanthippe was blaming Socrates, because he was making small preparation for receiving his friends: but Socrates said, If they are our friends, they will not care about it; and if they are not, we shall care nothing about them.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 173, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/173
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesYou do not need an impressive spread to welcome friends. Real friends will not mind a simple meal, and people who would judge you for it are not people whose opinion you need to care about. Hospitality is about sincerity, not display.
Themes and situations
- Friendship
- Simplicity and frugality
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Peace of mind
- Family conflict
- Money, status and wanting more
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