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Single Idea 23350
[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 2. Wise People
]
Full Idea
The sinews of a philosopher are desire that never fails in its achievement; aversion that never meets with what it would avoid; appropriate impulse; carefully considered purpose; and assent that is never precipitate.
Gist of Idea
A wise philosophers uses reason to cautiously judge each aspect of living
Source
Epictetus (The Discourses [c.56], 2.08.29)
Book Ref
Epictetus: 'The Discourses, The Handbook, Fragments', ed/tr. Gill,C [Everyman 1995], p.92
A Reaction
This is a very individual view of wisdom and the philosopher, whereas wisdom is often thought to have a social role. Is it not important for a philosopher to at least offer advice?
The
40 ideas
from 'The Discourses'
23325
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Epictetus developed a notion of will as the source of our responsibility
[Epictetus, by Frede,M]
|
23324
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In the Discourses choice [prohairesis] defines our character and behaviour
[Epictetus, by Frede,M]
|
23331
|
Not even Zeus can control what I choose
[Epictetus]
|
23338
|
You can fetter my leg, but not even Zeus can control my power of choice
[Epictetus]
|
23339
|
I will die as becomes a person returning what he does not own
[Epictetus]
|
23340
|
We consist of animal bodies and god-like reason
[Epictetus]
|
23329
|
We make progress when we improve and naturalise our choices, asserting their freedom
[Epictetus]
|
20873
|
Tragedies are versified sufferings of people impressed by externals
[Epictetus]
|
23341
|
God created humans as spectators and interpreters of God's works
[Epictetus]
|
23342
|
Freedom is acting by choice, with no constraint possible
[Epictetus]
|
23330
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Freedom is making all things happen by choice, without constraint
[Epictetus]
|
23343
|
Because reason performs all analysis, we should analyse reason - but how?
[Epictetus]
|
22604
|
Punishing a criminal for moral ignorance is the same as punishing someone for being blind
[Epictetus]
|
23344
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Reason itself must be compounded from some of our impressions
[Epictetus]
|
23328
|
The essences of good and evil are in dispositions to choose
[Epictetus]
|
23345
|
Don't be frightened of pain or death; only be frightened of fearing them
[Epictetus]
|
23346
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A person is as naturally a part of a city as a foot is part of the body
[Epictetus]
|
23347
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If I know I am fated to be ill, I should want to be ill
[Epictetus]
|
23348
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Both god and the good bring benefits, so their true nature seems to be the same
[Epictetus]
|
23349
|
Asses are born to carry human burdens, not as ends in themselves
[Epictetus]
|
23350
|
A wise philosophers uses reason to cautiously judge each aspect of living
[Epictetus]
|
23351
|
We are citizens of the universe, and principal parts of it
[Epictetus]
|
23352
|
A citizen should only consider what is good for the whole society
[Epictetus]
|
20874
|
A citizen is committed to ignore private advantage, and seek communal good
[Epictetus]
|
20875
|
If we could foresee the future, we should collaborate with disease and death
[Epictetus]
|
23353
|
We have a natural sense of honour
[Epictetus]
|
23354
|
If someone harms themselves in harming me, then I harm myself by returning the harm
[Epictetus]
|
20876
|
Philosophy investigates the causes of disagreements, and seeks a standard for settling them
[Epictetus]
|
23355
|
The task of philosophy is to establish standards, as occurs with weights and measures
[Epictetus]
|
23356
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Self-evidence is most obvious when people who deny a proposition still have to use it
[Epictetus]
|
23357
|
Knowledge of what is good leads to love; only the wise, who distinguish good from evil, can love
[Epictetus]
|
23358
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Every species produces exceptional beings, and we must just accept their nature
[Epictetus]
|
23332
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Zeus gave me a nature which is free (like himself) from all compulsion
[Epictetus]
|
23359
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We can't believe apparent falsehoods, or deny apparent truths
[Epictetus]
|
23360
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Each of the four elements in you is entirely scattered after death
[Epictetus]
|
23361
|
Health is only a good when it is used well
[Epictetus]
|
23363
|
The evil for everything is what is contrary to its nature
[Epictetus]
|
23362
|
All human ills result from failure to apply preconceptions to particular cases
[Epictetus]
|
21394
|
Philosophy is knowing each logos, how they fit together, and what follows from them
[Epictetus]
|
23364
|
Homer wrote to show that the most blessed men can be ruined by poor judgement
[Epictetus]
|