Handbook - Chapter Six
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: Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own.
Chapter: 6 of 53
Sections: 1
Author: Epictetus
6. Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own.
If a horse should be prideful and say, " I am handsome," it would be supportable.
But when you are prideful, and say, " I have a handsome horse," know that you are proud of what is, in fact, only the good of the horse.
What, then, is your own?
Only your reaction to the appearances of things.
Thus, when you behave conformably to nature in reaction to how things appear, you will be proud with reason; for you will take pride in some good of your own.
Book: Handbook
Subtitle: The ancient summary of Epictetus's teachings and philosophy
Author: Epictetus
Chapter: Chapter Six (Chapter 6 of 53)
Sections in this chapter:
Section 1:
6. Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own.
If a horse should be prideful and say, " I am handsome," it would be supportable.
But when you are prideful, and say, " I have a handsome horse," know that you are proud of what is, in fact, only the good of the horse.
What, then, is your own?
Only your reaction to the appearances of things.
Thus, when you behave conformably to nature in reaction to how things appear, you will be proud with reason; for you will take pride in some good of your own.