Handbook - Chapter Forty-eight
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: The condition and characteristic of a vulgar person, is, that he never expects either benefit or hurt from himself, but from externals.
Chapter: 48 of 53
Sections: 1
Author: Epictetus
48. The condition and characteristic of a vulgar person, is, that he never expects either benefit or hurt from himself, but from externals.
The condition and characteristic of a philosopher is, that he expects all hurt and benefit from himself.
The marks of a proficient are, that he censures no one, praises no one, blames no one, accuses no one, says nothing concerning himself as being anybody, or knowing anything: when he is, in any instance, hindered or restrained, he accuses himself; and, if he is praised, he secretly laughs at the person who praises him; and, if he is censured, he makes no defense.
But he goes about with the caution of sick or injured people, dreading to move anything that is set right, before it is perfectly fixed.
He suppresses all desire in himself; he transfers his aversion to those things only which thwart the proper use of our own faculty of choice; the exertion of his active powers towards anything is very gentle; if he appears stupid or ignorant, he does not care, and, in a word, he watches himself as an enemy, and one in ambush.
Book: Handbook
Subtitle: The ancient summary of Epictetus's teachings and philosophy
Author: Epictetus
Chapter: Chapter Forty-eight (Chapter 48 of 53)
Sections in this chapter:
Section 1:
48. The condition and characteristic of a vulgar person, is, that he never expects either benefit or hurt from himself, but from externals.
The condition and characteristic of a philosopher is, that he expects all hurt and benefit from himself.
The marks of a proficient are, that he censures no one, praises no one, blames no one, accuses no one, says nothing concerning himself as being anybody, or knowing anything: when he is, in any instance, hindered or restrained, he accuses himself; and, if he is praised, he secretly laughs at the person who praises him; and, if he is censured, he makes no defense.
But he goes about with the caution of sick or injured people, dreading to move anything that is set right, before it is perfectly fixed.
He suppresses all desire in himself; he transfers his aversion to those things only which thwart the proper use of our own faculty of choice; the exertion of his active powers towards anything is very gentle; if he appears stupid or ignorant, he does not care, and, in a word, he watches himself as an enemy, and one in ambush.