Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 25 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 25
It is not poverty which produces sorrow, but desire; nor does wealth release from fear, but reason (the power of reasoning, λογισμός). If then you acquire this power of reasoning, you will neither desire wealth nor complain of poverty.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 25, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/25
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesPoverty itself is not what causes misery; craving is. Money does not cure fear either; clear thinking does. Build that skill and you will neither crave riches nor resent being poor.
Older wording
- “power of reasoning”
- — the ability to think clearly and judge well
Themes and situations
- Desire and craving
- Wealth and poverty
- Peace of mind
- Judgements and impressions
- Losing money
- Money, status and wanting more
- Envy and comparison
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