Discourses, About Cynicism — In Plain English

Epictetus — The Slave

Is happiness in political power? No. If it were, then people who served as consul two or three times would be happy. But they're not. Who should we believe about this? Should we trust you, who only see their lives from the outside and get fooled by appearances? Or should we trust the powerful people themselves? What do they say? Listen to them groan and complain. Listen to them say that their consulships, their fame, and their glory make them feel more miserable and in greater danger. Is happiness in being a king? No. If it were, Nero would have been happy, and so would Sardanapalus. But they weren't. Even Agamemnon wasn't happy, though he was a better man than Sardanapalus and Nero. While everyone else sleeps peacefully, what is Agamemnon doing?

Epictetus — The Slave Original

In power? It is not there. If it is, those must be happy who have been twice and thrice consuls; but they are not. Whom shall we believe in these matters? You who from without see their affairs and are dazzled by an appearance, or the men themselves? What do they say? Hear them when they groan, when they grieve, when on account of these very consulships and glory and splendor they think that they are more wretched and in greater danger. Is it in royal power? It is not: if it were, Nero would have been happy, and Sardanapalus. But neither was Agamemnon happy, though he was a better man than Sardanapalus and Nero; but while others are snoring, what is he doing?

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.'

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.