Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

Things can appear to us in four ways. Either things are what they seem to be. Or they don't exist and don't seem to exist either. Or they do exist but don't seem to exist. Or they don't exist but seem to exist anyway. In all these cases, making the right judgment is what an educated person should do. But whatever is bothering you — that's what you need to fix. If the tricky arguments of philosophers like Pyrrho and the Academics are what's bothering you, then deal with those arguments. If it's the tricks that appearances play — making some things look good when they're actually not good — then find a remedy for that.

Discourses, In How Many Ways Appearances Exist, and What Aids We Should Provide Against Them 67 of 388
Knowing Yourself Calm Your Mind
Epictetus — The Slave Original

Appearances are to us in four ways. For either things appear as they are; or they are not, and do not even appear to be; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Further, in all these cases to form a right judgment (to hit the mark) is the office of an educated man. But whatever it is that annoys (troubles) us, to that we ought to apply a remedy. If the sophisms of Pyrrho and of the Academics are what annoys (troubles), we must apply the remedy to them. If it is the persuasion of appearances, by which some things appear to be good, when they are not good, let us seek a remedy for this.

Discourses, In How Many Ways Appearances Exist, and What Aids We Should Provide Against Them 67 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

This was how Socrates lived. This is why his expression never changed. But we choose to practice and study everything except what would make us free and unblocked. You say: "Philosophers talk in riddles." But don't other fields have riddles too? What's more backwards than cutting someone's eye to help them see? If you told this to someone who knew nothing about surgery, wouldn't they laugh at you? So why be surprised that in philosophy, many true things sound backwards to beginners?

Discourses, On the Same 66 of 388
Knowing Yourself Freedom & Control
Epictetus — The Slave Original

This was the practice of Socrates; this was the reason why he always had one face. But we choose to practise and study anything rather than the means by which we shall be unimpeded and free. You say: "Philosophers talk paradoxes." But are there no paradoxes in the other arts? And what is more paradoxical than to puncture a man's eye in order that he may see? If any one said this to a man ignorant of the surgical art, would he not ridicule the speaker? Where is the wonder, then, if in philosophy also many things which are true appear paradoxical to the inexperienced?

Discourses, On the Same 66 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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