Chapter XXIII Of Eloquence. A Book will always be read with more pleasure and ease, if it be written in fair characters; and so everyone will the more easily attend to discourses likewise, if ornamented with proper and beautiful expressions. It ought not then to be said, that there is no such thing as the faculty of eloquence; for this

Chapter XXIV Concerning a person whom he treated with disregard. When a certain person said to him, “I have often come to you, with a desire of hearing you, and you have never given me any answer; but now, if possible, I entreat you to say something to me”; — do you think, replied Epictetus , that, as in other

Chapter XXV That logic is necessary. When one of the company said to him, “Convince, me that logic is necessary,” —Would you have me, he said, demonstrate it to you? “Yes.” Then I must use a demonstrative form of argument. “Granted!” And how will you know, then, whether I argue sophistically? On this, the man being silent, You see, says

Chapter XXVI What is the test of error. Every error implies a contradiction; for, since he who errs does not wish to err, but to be in the right, it is evident, that he acts contrary to his wish. What does a thief desire to attain? His own interest! If, then, thieving be really against his interest, he acts contrary

Epictetus | Discourses | Book 4 Book IV | Index 1. Of Freedom 2. Of Complaisance 3. What Things are to be exchanged for Others 4. Concerning those who earnestly desire a Life of Repose 5. Concerning the Quarrelsome and Ferocious . 6. Concerning those who are annoyed at being pitied 7. Of Fearlessness 8. Concerning such as hastily assume

BOOK IV Chapter I Of Freedom. HE is free who lives as he likes; who is not subject to compulsion, to restraint, or to violence; whose pursuits are unhindered, his desires successful, his aversions unincurred. Who, then, would wish to lead a wrong course of life? “No one!” Who would live deceived, erring, unjust, dissolute, discontented, dejected? “No one!” No

Chapter II Of Complaisance. To this point you must attend before all others; not to be so attached to any one of your former acquaintances or friends as to condescend to behaviour like his; otherwise you will undo yourself. But if it comes into your head, “I shall appear odd to him, and he will not treat me as before,”

Chapter III What things are to be exchanged for others. When you have lost anything external, have always at hand the consideration of what you have got instead of it; and if that be of more value, do not by any means call yourself a loser; whether it be a horse for an ass; an ox for a sheep; a

Chapter IV Concerning those too earnestly desire a life of repose. Remember that it is not only the desire of riches and power that debases us and subjects us to others, but even that of quiet, leisure, learning, or travelling. For, in general, reverence for any external thing whatever makes us subject to others. Where is the difference, then, whether