Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Fragments 88 — Epictetus
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Fragments 88
As the sun does not wait for prayers and incantations to be induced to rise, but immediately shines and is saluted by all: so do you also not wait for clappings of hands, and shouts and praise to be induced to do good, but be a doer of good voluntarily, and you will be beloved as much as the sun.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Fragments 88, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/epictetus-fragments/88
Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments, tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesThe sun rises without being begged or praised and is welcomed by everyone anyway. Do good on your own initiative rather than waiting for applause, and people will love you for it.
Older wording
- “incantations”
- — ritual chants or spells
Themes and situations
- Virtue and character
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Duty and roles
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Community and our duty to others
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