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Single Idea 23354
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue
]
Full Idea
Since he has harmed himself by wronging me, shall not I harm myself by harming him?
Gist of Idea
If someone harms themselves in harming me, then I harm myself by returning the harm
Source
Epictetus (The Discourses [c.56], 2.10.26)
Book Ref
Epictetus: 'The Discourses, The Handbook, Fragments', ed/tr. Gill,C [Everyman 1995], p.97
A Reaction
I am very keen on this idea. See Hamlet's remarks to Polonius about 'honour and dignity'. The best strategy for achieving moral excellence is to focus on our own characters, rather than how to act, and to respond to others.
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]
|
23338
|
You can fetter my leg, but not even Zeus can control my power of choice
[Epictetus]
|
23331
|
Not even Zeus can control what I choose
[Epictetus]
|
23339
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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]
|
23330
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Freedom is making all things happen by choice, without constraint
[Epictetus]
|
23342
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Freedom is acting by choice, with no constraint possible
[Epictetus]
|
23343
|
Because reason performs all analysis, we should analyse reason - but how?
[Epictetus]
|
22604
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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
|
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
|
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
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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]
|
20874
|
A citizen is committed to ignore private advantage, and seek communal good
[Epictetus]
|
23352
|
A citizen should only consider what is good for the whole society
[Epictetus]
|
20875
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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
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Philosophy investigates the causes of disagreements, and seeks a standard for settling them
[Epictetus]
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23355
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The task of philosophy is to establish standards, as occurs with weights and measures
[Epictetus]
|
23356
|
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
|
Zeus gave me a nature which is free (like himself) from all compulsion
[Epictetus]
|
23359
|
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]
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