Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

Does someone take a quick bath? Don't say they're doing it wrong — just say they're doing it quickly. Does someone drink a lot of wine? Don't say they're doing something bad — just say they drink a lot. You can't know if someone is acting badly unless you completely understand why they're doing it. This way, you won't jump to conclusions about things you don't fully understand.

The Enchiridion, Section 45 61 of 70
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Epictetus — The Slave Original

Does anyone bathe hastily? Do not say that he does it ill, but hastily. Does anyone drink much wine? Do not say that he does ill, but that he drinks a great deal. For unless you perfectly understand his motives, how should you know if he acts ill? Thus you will not risk yielding to any appearances but such as you fully comprehend.

The Enchiridion, Section 45 61 of 70
Epictetus — The Slave

These arguments don't make logical sense: "I have more money than you, so I'm better than you." "I speak better than you, so I'm better than you." The real logical connection is this: "I have more money than you, so my possessions are worth more than yours." "I speak better than you, so my speaking style is better than yours." But you as a person are not the same thing as your property or your speaking style.

The Enchiridion, Section 44 60 of 70
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Epictetus — The Slave Original

These reasonings have no logical connection: “I am richer than you, therefore I am your superior.” “I am more eloquent than you, therefore I am your superior.” The true logical connection is rather this: “I am richer than you, therefore my possessions must exceed yours.” “I am more eloquent than you, therefore my style must surpass yours.” But you, after all, consist neither in property nor in style.

The Enchiridion, Section 44 60 of 70
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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