Discourses, On Constancy (or Firmness)

Epictetus — The Slave

Stop wasting time on petty debates about these things. Leave that to lazy people who sit around for small payments or complain that no one pays them anything. Instead, step forward and use what you've learned. We don't need more clever arguments right now — the Stoic writings are already full of them. What we need is someone who will actually practice these ideas. Someone whose actions prove their words are real. Please, take on this role. Then we won't have to keep using examples from ancient philosophers in our schools. We'll have a living example of our own.

Epictetus — The Slave Original

Will you not leave the small arguments about these matters to others, to lazy fellows, that they may sit in a corner and receive their sorry pay, or grumble that no one gives them anything; and will you not come forward and make use of what you have learned? For it is not these small arguments that are wanted now; the writings of the Stoics are full of them. What then is the thing which is wanted? A man who shall apply them, one who by his acts shall bear testimony to his words. Assume, I intreat you, this character, that we may no longer use in the schools the examples of the ancients, but may have some example of our own.