Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 40 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 40
Truth conquers with itself; but opinion conquers among those who are external.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 40, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/40
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesTruth wins on its own strength, while mere opinion wins only by persuading outsiders. Do not confuse popular approval with being right.
Older wording
- “external”
- — outsiders, people other than yourself
Themes and situations
- Judgements and impressions
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Virtue and character
- Learning and progress
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