Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

The Cynic must be ready to speak out loudly when needed. He should be able to stand up like an actor on stage and say what Socrates said: 'People, where are you rushing to? What are you doing, you poor fools? You're wandering around like blind people. You've taken the wrong path and left the right one behind. You're looking for success and happiness in the wrong places. And when someone shows you where to really find them, you don't believe him. Why do you look for happiness outside yourself? In your body? It's not there. If you doubt me, look at Myro, look at Ophellius. In your possessions? It's not there either. If you don't believe me, look at Croesus. Look at rich people today — see how full of complaints their lives are.'

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What Matters Most Human Nature
Epictetus — The Slave Original

It is his duty then to be able with a loud voice, if the occasion should arise, and appearing on the tragic stage to say like Socrates: Men, whither are you hurrying, what are you doing, wretches? like blind people you are wandering up and down; you are going by another road, and have left the true road; you seek for prosperity and happiness where they are not, and if another shows you where they are, you do not believe him. Why do you seek it without? In the body? It is not there. If you doubt, look at Myro, look at Ophellius. In possessions? It is not there. But if you do not believe me, look at Croesus: look at those who are now rich, with what lamentations their life is filled.

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Epictetus — The Slave

A true Cynic who prepares himself this way can't stop there. He must realize that Zeus has sent him as a messenger to humanity. His job is to teach people about good and bad things. He shows them they've been looking for happiness and suffering in all the wrong places. They never think to look where these things actually are. He's like a spy — just as Diogenes was captured and taken to Philip after the battle of Chaeroneia as a spy. A Cynic is indeed a spy who watches what is truly good for people and what is truly evil. His duty is to examine things carefully, then come back and report the truth. He must not panic and wrongly identify enemies where there are none. He can't let appearances disturb him or confuse him in any way.

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Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Epictetus — The Slave Original

Then, if he is thus prepared, the true Cynic cannot be satisfied with this; but he must know that he is sent a messenger from Zeus to men about good and bad things, to show them that they have wandered and are seeking the substance of good and evil where it is not, but where it is, they never think; and that he is a spy, as Diogenes was carried off to Philip after the battle of Chaeroneia as a spy. For in fact a Cynic is a spy of the things which are good for men and which are evil, and it is his duty to examine carefully and to come and report truly, and not to be struck with terror so as to point out as enemies those who are not enemies, nor in any other way to be perturbed by appearances nor confounded.

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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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