Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 48 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 48
As a wolf resembles a dog, so both a flatterer, and an adulterer and a parasite, resemble a friend. Take care then that instead of watch dogs you do not without knowing it let in mischievous wolves.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 48, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/48
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesFlatterers, people who seduce a friend's spouse and freeloaders can look just like real friends, the way a wolf looks like a dog. Be careful that you do not unknowingly let wolves into your home when you think you are hiring guard dogs.
Older wording
- “parasite”
- — a freeloader who hangs around for free meals
Themes and situations
- Friendship
- Speech and silence
- Judgements and impressions
- Virtue and character
- Betrayal
- Trouble with a friend
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.