All the Works of Epictetus · 10 of 100

Book I, Chapter 8

1.In as many Ways as equivalent Syllogisms may be varied, in so many may the Forms of Arguments, and Enthymemas, be varied likewise. As for Instance: If you had borrowed, and not paid, you owe me Money. But you have not borrowed, and not paid, therefore you do not owe me Money. To perform this skilfully, belongs to no one more than to a Philosopher. For if an Enthymema be an imperfect Syllogism; he who is exercised in a perfect Syllogism, must be equally ready at an imperfect one.

Why then do not we exercise ourselves and others, after this Manner?

Because, even now, though we are not exercised in these Things, nor diverted, by me, at least, from the Study of Morality; yet we make no Advances in Virtue. What is to be expected then if we should add this Avocation too? Especially, as it would not only be an Avocation from more necessary Studies, but likewise a capital Occasion of Conceit and Insolence. For the Faculty of arguing, and of persuasive Reasoning is great; and, particularly, if it be much laboured, and receive an additional Ornament from Rhetoric. For, in general, every Facuity is dangerous to weak and uninstructed Persons; as being apt to render them arrogant and elated. For by what Method can one persuade a young Man, who excells in these Kinds of Study, that he ought not to be an Appendix to them, but they to him? Will he not trample upon all such Advice; and walk about elated, and puffed up, not bearing any one should touch him, to put him in mind, where he is wanting, and in what he goes wrong.

What then, was not Plato a Philosopher?

Well, and was not Hippocrates a Physician? Yet you see [how elegantly] he expresses himself. But is it in Quality of Physician, then, that he expresses himself so? Why do you confound Things, accidentally united, from different Causes, in the same Men? If Plato was handsome and well-made, must I too set myself to endeavour at becoming handsome and well-made; as if this was necessary to Philosophy, because a certain Person happened to be at once handsome and a Philosopher? Why will you not perceive and distinguish what are the Things that make Men Philosophers, and what belong to them on other Accounts? Pray, if I were a Philosopher, would it be necessary that you should be lame too?

2.What then? Do I reject these Faculties? By no means. For neither do I reject the Faculty of Seeing. But if you ask me, what is the Good of Man; I have nothing else to say to you, but that it is a certain Regulation of the Choice, with regard to the Appearances of Things.