Discourses, Certain Miscellaneous Matters

Epictetus — The Slave

"I'm better than you because my father was a consul." Another person says, "I was a tribune, but you weren't." If we were horses, would you say, "My father was faster"? Or "I have lots of barley and feed, plus fancy decorations for my neck"? If you said that, I'd respond: "Fine, let's race then." Well, isn't there something in humans — like speed in horses — that shows who's truly superior? What about respect, loyalty, and justice? Show that you're better in these things if you want to be superior as a human being. If you tell me you can kick hard, I'll just say you're bragging about something any donkey can do.

Epictetus — The Slave Original

I am superior to you, for my father is a man of consular rank. Another says, I have been a tribune, but you have not. If we were horses, would you say, My father was swifter? I have much barley and fodder, or elegant neck ornaments. If then you were saying this, I said, Be it so: let us run then. Well, is there nothing in a man such as running in a horse, by which it will be known which is superior and inferior? Is there not modesty ([Greek: aidos]), fidelity, justice? Show yourself superior in these, that you may be superior as a man. If you tell me that you can kick violently, I also will say to you, that you are proud of that which is the act of an ass.