Discourses and Enchiridion

ABOUT FREEDOM.—He is free who lives as he wishes to live; who is neither subject to compulsion nor to hindrance, nor to force; whose movements to…

Whether then have you nothing which is in your own power, which depends on yourself only and cannot be taken from you, or have you anything of the…

ON FAMILIAR INTIMACY.—To this matter before all you must attend, that you be never so closely connected with any of your former intimates or…

What then? would you have me to be despised?—By whom? by those who know you? and how shall those who know you despise a man who is gentle and modest?…

TO A PERSON WHO HAD BEEN CHANGED TO A CHARACTER OF SHAMELESSNESS.—When you see another man in the possession of power (magistracy), set against…

The first then and highest purity is that which is in the soul; and we say the same of impurity. Now you could not discover the impurity of the…

What then? is it possible to be free from faults (if you do all this)? It is not possible; but this is possible, to direct your efforts incessantly…

Something of this kind happens to us also generally. Now as this man has confidently intrusted his affairs to me, shall I also do so to any man…

In everything which pleases the soul, or supplies a want, or is loved, remember to add this to the (description, notion): What is the nature of…

When you are going to take in hand any act remind yourself what kind of an act it is. If you are going to bathe, place before yourself what happens…

Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things; for example, death is nothing terrible, for if it were it…

Be not elated at any advantage (excellence) which belongs to another. If a horse when he is elated should say, I am beautiful, one might endure it.…

As on a voyage when the vessel has reached a port, if you go out to get water it is an amusement by the way to pick up a shellfish or some bulb,…

Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil…

Disease is an impediment to the body, but not to the will, unless the will itself chooses. Lameness is an impediment to the leg, but not to the will.…

On the occasion of every accident (event) that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use. If…

Never say about anything, I have lost it, but say I have restored it. Is your child dead? It has been restored. Is your wife dead? She has been…

If you intend to improve, throw away such thoughts as these: if I neglect my affairs, I shall not have the means of living: unless I chastise my…

If you would improve, submit to be considered without sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and if…

If you would have your children and your wife and your friends to live for ever, you are silly; for you would have the things which are not in your…

Remember that in life you ought to behave as at a banquet. Suppose that something is carried round and is opposite to you. Stretch out your hand…

When you see a person weeping in sorrow either when a child goes abroad or when he is dead, or when the man has lost his property, take care that the…

Remember that thou art an actor in a play, of such a kind as the teacher (author) may choose; if short, of a short one; if long, of a long one: if he…

When a raven has croaked inauspiciously, let not the appearance hurry you away with it; but straightway make a distinction in your mind and say, None…

You can be invincible, if you enter into no contest in which it is not in your power to conquer. Take care then when you observe a man honored before…

Remember that it is not he who reviles you or strikes you, who insults you, but it is your opinion about these things as being insulting. When then a…

Let death and exile and every other thing which appears dreadful be daily before your eyes; but most of all death: and you will never think of…

If you desire philosophy, prepare yourself from the beginning to be ridiculed, to expect that many will sneer at you, and say, He has all at once…

If it should ever happen to you to be turned to externals in order to please some person, you must know that you have lost your purpose in life. Be…

We may learn the wish (will) of nature from the things in which we do not differ from one another: for instance, when your neighbor’s slave has…

If any person was intending to put your body in the power of any man whom you fell in with on the way, you would be vexed; but that you put your…

Duties are universally measured by relations ([Greek: tais schsesi]). Is a man a father? The precept is to take care of him, to yield to him in all…

Avoid banquets which are given by strangers and by ignorant persons. But if ever there is occasion to join in them, let your attention be carefully…

Take (apply) the things which relate to the body as far as the bare use, as food, drink, clothing, house, and slaves; but exclude everything which is…

If a man has reported to you, that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make any defence (answer) to what has been told you; but reply, The man…

It is not necessary to go to the theatres often: but if there is ever a proper occasion for going, do not show yourself as being a partisan of any…

When you are going to meet with any person, and particularly one of those who are considered to be in a superior condition, place before yourself…

When you are going to any of those who are in great power, place before yourself that you will not find the man at home, that you will be excluded,…

In company take care not to speak much and excessively about your own acts or dangers; for as it is pleasant to you to make mention of your own…

If you have received the impression ([Greek: phantasion]) of any pleasure, guard yourself against being carried away by it; but let the thing wait…

When you have decided that a thing ought to be done, and are doing it, never avoid being seen doing it, though the many shall form an unfavorable…

As the proposition, it is either day, or it is night, is of great importance for the disjunctive argument, but for the conjunctive, is of no value,…

If you have assumed a character above your strength, you have both acted in this manner in an unbecoming way, and you have neglected that which you…

The measure of possession (property) is to every man the body, as the foot is of the shoe. If then you stand on this rule (the demands of the body),…

Women forthwith from the age of fourteen are called by the men mistresses ([Greek: churiai], dominæ). Therefore, since they see that there is nothing…

It is a mark of a mean capacity to spend much time on the things which concern the body, such as much exercise, much eating, much drinking, much…

When any person treats you ill or speaks ill of you, remember that he does this or says this because he thinks that it is his duty. It is not…

Everything has two handles, the one by which it may be borne, the other by which it may not. If your brother acts unjustly, do not lay hold of the…

Does a man bathe quickly (early)? do not say that he bathes badly, but that he bathes quickly. Does a man drink much wine? do not say that he does…

When at a small cost you are supplied with everything for the body, do not be proud of this; nor, if you drink water, say on every occasion, I…