Single Idea 23345

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / e. Death]

Full Idea

It is not pain or death that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.

Gist of Idea

Don't be frightened of pain or death; only be frightened of fearing them

Source

Epictetus (The Discourses [c.56], 2.01.13)

Book Reference

Epictetus: 'The Discourses, The Handbook, Fragments', ed/tr. Gill,C [Everyman 1995], p.76


A Reaction

These two cases are quite different, I would say. I'm much more frightened of pain than I am of the fear of pain, and the opposite view seems absurd. About death, though, I think this is right. Mostly I'm with Spinoza: think about life, not death.