Epictetus Works (Discourses, Enchiridion, Fragments)

vii

...eludes the simple system of Epictetus. But everything contained here is noble. All the common complaints against Stoic philosophy—charges of arrogance, lack of charity, cold isolation, or the approval of suicide—are entirely refuted by his clear statements. “What is the first business of one who studies philosophy? To part with self-conceit original: "self-conceit"; in this context, it refers to the vanity of thinking one already knows everything..” (p. 148.) “That we ought not to be angry with the erring” forms the subject of a special chapter. (p. 54.) “All is full of beloved ones... by nature endeared to each other.” (p. 266.) “Who is there whom bright and agreeable children do not attract to play and creep and prattle with them?” (p. 185.) The philosopher, “when beaten, must love those who beat him.” (p. 250.)

As to suicide, there is a specific argument against it. (p. 30.) In other places, he alludes to it ironically, with a sort of contempt; or he defends Providence Providence refers to the protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. by showing that we are not forced even into living on earth if we do not desire it, but even in this last resort, our will remains free. He also implies more than once that suicide, which is the cowardice of a moment, is after all less blasphemous than the settled habit of faithless complaint. For this habitual complaining is what rouses his indignation beyond all other things.

In his practical examples, he constantly returns to the noblest traits of his famous predecessors—such as Socrates, Diogenes, and Zeno Zeno of Citium (c. 334 – c. 262 BC) was the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy.. He also gives us glimpses of the finest characters whose names are otherwise unfamiliar, such as Rufus Musonius Rufus was a Roman Stoic philosopher and the teacher of Epictetus. and Euphrates Euphrates the Stoic (c. 35–118 AD) was a celebrated philosopher praised by Pliny the Younger.. Indeed, all his standards are practical; he denounces and satirizes...