Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

But show me that you've actually examined your beliefs and worked on them. You're sailing to Rome right now to become governor of the Cnossians. You're not satisfied staying home with the honors you already have. You want something bigger and more impressive. So when have you ever taken a trip to examine your own opinions? When have you gone somewhere to throw out the bad ones? Who have you talked to about this? What time have you set aside for it? At what point in your life?

Discourses, To a Certain Rhetorician Who Was Going up to Rome on a Suit 231 of 388
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Epictetus — The Slave Original

But show to me that you have made some inquiry into your opinions and have taken some pains about them. And as now you are sailing to Rome in order to become governor of the Cnossians, and you are not content to stay at home with the honors which you had, but you desire something greater and more conspicuous, so when did you ever make a voyage for the purpose of examining your own opinions, and casting them out, if you have any that are bad? Whom have you approached for this purpose? What time have you fixed for it? What age?

Discourses, To a Certain Rhetorician Who Was Going up to Rome on a Suit 231 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

Why did you want to be elected governor of the Cnossians? Because of your opinion. Why are you going to Rome now? Because of your opinion. And why are you going in winter, with danger and expense? "I have to go." What tells you that? Your opinion. So if opinions cause all actions, and someone has bad opinions, then bad results follow bad causes. Do we all have good opinions — you and your opponent? How are you different from him? Do you have better opinions than your opponent? Why? Because you think so. And he thinks his opinions are better too. So do crazy people. That's a terrible way to judge.

Discourses, To a Certain Rhetorician Who Was Going up to Rome on a Suit 230 of 388
Knowing Yourself Human Nature
Epictetus — The Slave Original

For what is the reason why you desired to be elected governor of the Cnossians? Your opinion. What is the reason that you are now going up to Rome? Your opinion. And going in winter, and with danger and expense? I must go. What tells you this? Your opinion. Then if opinions are the causes of all actions, and a man has bad opinions, such as the cause may be, such also is the effect! Have we then all sound opinions, both you and your adversary? And how do you differ? But have you sounder opinions than your adversary? Why? You think so. And so does he think that his opinions are better; and so do madmen. This is a bad criterion.

Discourses, To a Certain Rhetorician Who Was Going up to Rome on a Suit 230 of 388
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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