Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 22 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 22
As if you were begotten or born in a ship, you would not be eager to be the master of it (κυβερνήτης), so—. For neither there (in the ship) will the ship naturally be connected with you, nor wealth in the other case; but reason is everywhere naturally connected with you. As then reason is a thing which naturally belongs to you and is born in you, consider this also as specially your own and take care of it.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 22, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/22
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesSomeone born on a ship would not feel the ship belonged to them or crave to command it, and wealth is the same kind of outside thing that is not truly part of you. Your reasoning mind goes with you everywhere, so treat that as your real possession and look after it.
Older wording
- “reason”
- — your rational mind, your ability to think and judge well
- “begotten”
- — conceived or fathered, i.e. born
Themes and situations
- What is in our control
- Wealth and poverty
- Virtue and character
- Nature and the cosmos
- Money, status and wanting more
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