Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

This same thing happens to us in everyday life. Just because someone trusts me with their secrets doesn't mean I should trust everyone I meet with mine. If I'm smart, I keep quiet when I hear something. But the other person goes and tells everyone what they heard. When I find out what happened, if I'm like him, I decide to get revenge. I tell everyone his secrets. I upset other people and get upset myself. But if I remember that one person can't really harm another, and that everyone's actions only hurt or help themselves, then I make sure I don't act like him. I still suffer from what happens, but only because of my own foolish talking.

Discourses, Against or to Those Who Readily Tell Their Own Affairs 385 of 388
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Epictetus — The Slave Original

Something of this kind happens to us also generally. Now as this man has confidently intrusted his affairs to me, shall I also do so to any man whom I meet? (No), for when I have heard, I keep silence, if I am of such a disposition; but he goes forth and tells all men what he has heard. Then, if I hear what has been done, if I be a man like him, I resolve to be revenged, I divulge what he has told me; I both disturb others, and am disturbed myself. But if I remember that one man does not injure another, and that every man's acts injure and profit him, I secure this, that I do not anything like him, but still I suffer what I do suffer through my own silly talk.

Discourses, Against or to Those Who Readily Tell Their Own Affairs 385 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

But where does this actually work? We also believe we can safely trust someone who has already told us their secrets. We think: this person would never betray our secrets because they'd be afraid we might betray theirs. This is how careless people get trapped by soldiers in Rome. A soldier sits next to you in regular clothes and starts badmouthing Caesar. You think his criticism proves he's trustworthy. So you also say what you really think. Then you get dragged away in chains.

Discourses, Against or to Those Who Readily Tell Their Own Affairs 384 of 388
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Epictetus — The Slave Original

where is this done? Besides, we have also this opinion that we can safely trust him who has already told us his own affairs; for the notion rises in our mind that this man could never divulge our affairs because he would be cautious that we also should not divulge his. In this way also the incautious are caught by the soldiers at Rome. A soldier sits by you in a common dress and begins to speak ill of Cæsar; then you, as if you had received a pledge of his fidelity by his having begun the abuse, utter yourself also what you think, and then you are carried off in chains.

Discourses, Against or to Those Who Readily Tell Their Own Affairs 384 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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