Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 83 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 83
As, if you wished to breed lions, you would not care about the costliness of their dens, but about the habits of the animals; so, if you attempt to preside over your citizens, be not so anxious about the costliness of the buildings as careful about the manly character of those who dwell in them.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 83, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/83
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesTo raise strong lions you would care about the animals' habits, not the cost of their dens. Likewise, those in charge should focus on the character of the people in their care, not on expensive buildings.
Older wording
- “preside over”
- — lead or govern
- “manly”
- — courageous and strong in character
Themes and situations
- Leadership and power
- Virtue and character
- Courage
- Community and our duty to others
- Leading others
- Parenting
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.