Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

So you think it's strange that the Athenians treated Socrates that way? Hold on. Why do you say "Socrates"? Call it what it really was: it's strange that Socrates' poor body got dragged off to prison by stronger men. Someone gave poison to Socrates' poor body, and it stopped breathing. Do these things seem strange to you? Do they seem unfair? Do you blame God for them? But did Socrates get nothing in return? Where was his sense of what's truly good? Who should we listen to — you or him? And what does Socrates say? "Anytus and Melitus can kill me, but they cannot hurt me." And he also says, "If this is what God wants, so be it."

Discourses, On Constancy (or Firmness) 83 of 388
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Epictetus — The Slave Original

How strange then that Socrates should have been so treated by the Athenians. Slave, why do you say Socrates? Speak of the thing as it is: how strange that the poor body of Socrates should have been carried off and dragged to prison by stronger men, and that anyone should have given hemlock to the poor body of Socrates, and that it should breathe out the life. Do these things seem strange, do they seem unjust, do you on account of these things blame God? Had Socrates then no equivalent for these things? Where then for him was the nature of good? Whom shall we listen to, you or him? And what does Socrates say? "Anytus and Melitus can kill me, but they cannot hurt me." And further, he says, "If it so pleases God, so let it be."

Discourses, On Constancy (or Firmness) 83 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

Ten people are stronger than one person. Stronger at what? At putting someone in chains, killing them, dragging them wherever they want, taking their stuff. So the ten beat the one in areas where they have more power. But where are the ten weaker? When the one person has right opinions and the others don't. Can the ten win in that area? How could they? If we put things on a scale, doesn't the heavier side always pull down?

Discourses, On Constancy (or Firmness) 82 of 388
Freedom & Control Knowing Yourself
Epictetus — The Slave Original

Ten are stronger than one. For what? For putting in chains, for killing, for dragging whither they choose, for taking away what a man has. The ten therefore conquer the one in this in which they are stronger. In what then are the ten weaker? If the one possesses right opinions and the others do not. Well then, can the ten conquer in this matter? How is it possible? If we were placed in the scales, must not the heavier draw down the scale in which it is.

Discourses, On Constancy (or Firmness) 82 of 388
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support