Epictetus · Complete work
Chapter 11
Chapter 11 of 53. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Ancient Greek
[11.1] μηδέποτε ἐπὶ μηδενὸς εἴπῃς ὅτι ἀπώλεσα αὐτό, ἀλλʼ ὅτι ἀπέδωκα. τὸ παιδίον ἀπέθανεν; ἀπεδόθη. ἡ γυνὴ ἀπέθανεν; ἀπεδόθη. τὸ χωρίον ἀφῃρέθην. οὐκοῦν καὶ τοῦτο ἀπεδόθη. ἀλλὰ κακὸς ὁ ἀφελόμενος. τί δὲ σοὶ μέλει, διὰ τίνος σε ὁ δοὺς ἀπῄτησε; μέχρι δʼ ἂν διδῷ, ὡς ἀλλοτρίου αὐτοῦ ἐπιμελοῦ, ὡς τοῦ πανδοχείου οἱ παριόντες.
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from all 53 Ancient Greek chapters and 105 sections for fidelity, Stoic precision, clarity, structure, and cadence.
[11.1] Never say of anything, “I have lost it,” but rather, “I have given it back.” Has your child died? It was given back. Has your wife died? She was given back. Has your farm been taken away? Then this too was given back. “But the man who took it is wicked.” What concern is it of yours through whom the giver demanded its return? So long as he gives it to you, care for it as something not your own, as travelers care for an inn.
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from all 53 Ancient Greek chapters and 105 sections.
[11.1] Never say about anything, “I have lost it,” but rather, “I have given it back.” Has your child died? The child has been given back. Has your wife died? She has been given back. Has your property been taken away? Then that too has been given back. “But the person who took it is wicked.” What does it matter to you through whom the giver asked for it back? As long as he gives it to you, take care of it as something that belongs to another, as travelers take care of an inn.