“ If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid ”
Epictetus, Enchiridion (125). copy citation
| Author | Epictetus |
|---|---|
| Source | Enchiridion |
| Topic | stupidity improvement |
| Date | 125 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Elizabeth Carter |
| Weblink | http://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epicench.html |
Context
“When you call your servant, it is possible that he may not come; or, if he does, he may not do what you want. But he is by no means of such importance that it should be in his power to give you any disturbance.
13. If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things. Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust yourself. For, it is difficult to both keep your faculty of choice in a state conformable to nature, and at the same time acquire external things.” source
13. If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with regard to external things. Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust yourself. For, it is difficult to both keep your faculty of choice in a state conformable to nature, and at the same time acquire external things.” source
Meaning and analysis
