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Single Idea 20873

[from 'The Discourses' by Epictetus, in 21. Aesthetics / B. Nature of Art / 8. The Arts / b. Literature ]

Full Idea

Tragedies are nothing but the sufferings of people who are impressed by externals, performed in the right sort of meter.

Gist of Idea

Tragedies are versified sufferings of people impressed by externals

Source

Epictetus (The Discourses [c.56], 1.04.26)

Book Reference

'The Stoics Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B/Gerson,L.P. [Hackett 2008], p.196


A Reaction

The externals are things like honour, position and wealth. Wonderfully dismissive!