Chapter VI Concerning those who are annoyed at being pitied. It vexes me, say you, to be pitied. Is this your affair, then, or theirs who pity you? And further, how is it in your power to prevent it? “It is, if I show them that I do not need pity.” But are you now in such a condition as

Chapter VII Of fearlessness. What makes a tyrant formidable? His guards, say you, and their swords; they who protect his bedchamber; and they who keep out intruders. Why, then, if you bring a child to him amidst these guards, is it not afraid? Is it because the child does not know what they mean? Suppose, then, that any one knows

Chapter VIII Concerning such as hastily assume the philosophic dress. Never commend or censure anyone for common actions, nor attribute to them either skilfulness or unskillfulness; and thus you will at once be free both from rashness and ill-nature. - Such a one bathes hastily! Does he therefore do it ill? Not at all! But what? Hastily! “Is everything well

Chapter IX Concerning a person who had grown immodest. When you see another in power, set this against it, that you have the advantage of not needing power. When you see another rich, see what you have instead of riches; for if you have nothing in their stead, you are miserable. But if you have the advantage of not needing

Chapter X What things we are to despise, and what chiefly to value. The doubts and perplexities of all men are concerning externals; — what they shall do, — how it will be, — what will be the event, — whether this thing will happen, or that? All this is the talk of persons engaged in things uncontrollable by will.

Chapter XI Of Purity. Some doubt whether the love of society be comprehended in the nature of man; and yet these very persons do not seem to me to doubt but that purity is by all means comprehended in it; and that by this, if by anything, it is distinguished from brute animals. When, therefore, we see any animal cleaning

Chapter XII Of taking pains. When you cease to take pains for a little while, do not fancy you may recommence whenever you please, but remember this, that by means of the fault of today, your affairs must necessarily be in a worse condition for the future. The first and worst evil is that there arises a habit of neglect;

Chapter XIII Concerning those who are too communicative. When any one appears to us to discourse frankly of his own affairs, we too are somehow tempted to disclose our secrets to him; and we consider this to be acting with frankness. First, because it seems unfair that when we have heard the affairs of our neighbour, we should not in

Epictetus | Discourses | Book 3 Book III | Index 1. Of Personal Adornment. 2. In what a well-trained Man should exercise himself; and that we neglect the principal Things. 3. What is the chief Concern of a good Man; and in what we chiefly ought to train ourselves. 4. Concerning one who made Himself improperly conspicuous in the Theatre.