Chapter Thirteen
13:1
Book Subtitle: The ancient summary of Epictetus's teachings and philosophy
Book Description: In this book, the whole of Epictetus' philosophy is condensed into 52 key lessons by his student Arrian. The handbook was meant to be kept 'on-hand' by ancient students of Stoicism. It is a guide to be referenced when navigating the trials of life. This makes it both a vivid distillation of the most important Stoic ideas and a tool for the practical application of the philosophy.
Chapter Subtitle: If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things.
13. If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things.
Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust yourself.
For, it is difficult to both keep your faculty of choice in a state conformable to nature, and at the same time acquire external things.
But while you are careful about the one, you must of necessity neglect the other.
Book: Handbook
Subtitle: The ancient summary of Epictetus's teachings and philosophy
Author: Epictetus
Chapter: Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Subtitle: If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things.
Location: Chapter 13, Section 1
Content:
13. If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things.
Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust yourself.
For, it is difficult to both keep your faculty of choice in a state conformable to nature, and at the same time acquire external things.
But while you are careful about the one, you must of necessity neglect the other.