Discourses, To Those Who Are Desirous of Passing Life in Tranquillity

Epictetus — The Slave

Why do you choose to read? Tell me. If you only read to entertain yourself or learn random facts, you're foolish and can't handle real work. But if you read for the right reason, what is that reason? A calm and happy life. But if reading doesn't give you a calm and happy life, what's the point? "But it does give me that," someone says, "and that's why I'm upset when I can't read." But what kind of calm and happy life can be blocked by anyone — not just Caesar or Caesar's friends, but a crow, a flute player, a fever, or thirty thousand other things? A truly calm and happy life has nothing more certain than continuity and freedom from obstacles.

Epictetus — The Slave Original

For what purpose do you choose to read? Tell me. For if you only direct your purpose to being amused or learning something, you are a silly fellow and incapable of enduring labor. But if you refer reading to the proper end, what else is this than a tranquil and happy life ([Greek: eusoia])? But if reading does not secure for you a happy and tranquil life, what is the use of it? But it does secure this, the man replies, and for this reason I am vexed that I am deprived of it.—And what is this tranquil and happy life, which any man can impede, I do not say Cæsar or Cæsar's friend, but a crow, a piper, a fever, and thirty thousand other things? But a tranquil and happy life contains nothing so sure as continuity and freedom from obstacle.