Handbook - Chapter Forty-nine
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: When anyone shows himself overly confident in ability to understand and interpret the works of Chrysippus, say to yourself, " Unless Chrysippus had written obscurely, this person would have had no subject for his vanity.
Chapter: 49 of 53
Sections: 1
Author: Epictetus
49. When anyone shows himself overly confident in ability to understand and interpret the works of Chrysippus, say to yourself, " Unless Chrysippus had written obscurely, this person would have had no subject for his vanity. But what do I desire? To understand nature and follow her. I ask, then, who interprets her, and, finding Chrysippus does, I have recourse to him. I don't understand his writings. I seek, therefore, one to interpret them."
So far there is nothing to value myself upon.
And when I find an interpreter, what remains is to make use of his instructions.
This alone is the valuable thing.
But, if I admire nothing but merely the interpretation, what do I become more than a grammarian instead of a philosopher?
Except, indeed, that instead of Homer I interpret Chrysippus.
When anyone, therefore, desires me to read Chrysippus to him, I rather blush when I cannot show my actions agreeable and consonant to his discourse.
Book: Handbook
Subtitle: The ancient summary of Epictetus's teachings and philosophy
Author: Epictetus
Chapter: Chapter Forty-nine (Chapter 49 of 53)
Sections in this chapter:
Section 1:
49. When anyone shows himself overly confident in ability to understand and interpret the works of Chrysippus, say to yourself, " Unless Chrysippus had written obscurely, this person would have had no subject for his vanity. But what do I desire? To understand nature and follow her. I ask, then, who interprets her, and, finding Chrysippus does, I have recourse to him. I don't understand his writings. I seek, therefore, one to interpret them."
So far there is nothing to value myself upon.
And when I find an interpreter, what remains is to make use of his instructions.
This alone is the valuable thing.
But, if I admire nothing but merely the interpretation, what do I become more than a grammarian instead of a philosopher?
Except, indeed, that instead of Homer I interpret Chrysippus.
When anyone, therefore, desires me to read Chrysippus to him, I rather blush when I cannot show my actions agreeable and consonant to his discourse.