Epictetus · Complete work
Chapter 12
Chapter 12 of 53. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Ancient Greek
[12.1] εἰ προκόψαι θέλεις, ἄφες τοὺς τοιούτους ἐπιλογισμούς. ἐὰν ἀμελήσω τᾶν ἐμῶν, οὐχ ἕξω διατροφάς· ἐὰν μὴ κολάσω τὸν παῖδα, πονηρὸς ἔσται. κρεῖσσον γὰρ λιμῷ ἀποθανεῖν ἄλυπον καὶ ἄφοβον γενόμενον ἢ ζῆν ἐν ἀφθόνοις ταρασσόμενον. κρεῖττον δὲ τὸν παῖδα κακὸν εἶναι ἢ σὲ κακοδαίμονα.
[12.2] ἄρξαι τοιγαροῦν ἀπὸ τῶν σμικρῶν. ἐκχεῖται τὸ ἐλάδιον, κλέπτεται τὸ οἰνάριον· ἐπίλεγε ὅτι τοσούτου πωλεῖται ἀπάθεια, τοσούτου ἀταραξία· προῖκα δὲ οὐδὲν περιγίνεται. ὅταν δὲ καλῇς τὸν παῖδα, ἐνθυμοῦ, ὅτι δύναται μὴ ὑπακοῦσαι καὶ ὑπακούσας μηδὲν ποιῆσαι ὧν θέλεις· ἀλλʼ οὐχ οὕτως ἐστὶν αὐτῷ καλῶς, ἵνα ἐπʼ ἐκείνῳ ᾖ τὸ σὲ μὴ ταραχθῆναι.
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.
[12.1] If you wish to make progress, abandon such reflections as these: “If I neglect my affairs, I shall have no means of support”; “If I do not punish my servant, he will turn out badly.” For it is better to die of hunger, free from grief and fear, than to live amid abundance in a state of turmoil. And it is better for your servant to be bad than for you to be miserable.
[12.2] Begin, then, with little things. A little oil is spilled; a little wine is stolen. Say to yourself, “This is the price of freedom from passion; this is the price of tranquility.” Nothing is gained for nothing. And when you call your servant, bear in mind that he may not answer, and that even if he answers, he may do none of the things you want. But he is not so well placed that your freedom from disturbance should depend on him.
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from all 53 Ancient Greek chapters and 105 sections.
[12.1] If you want to make progress, let go of calculations like these: “If I neglect my affairs, I will have nothing to live on”; “If I do not punish my servant, he will turn out badly.” For it is better to die of hunger free from distress and fear than to live amid abundance in a state of turmoil. And it is better for your servant to be bad than for you to be miserable.
[12.2] Begin, then, with the little things. A little oil is spilled; a little wine is stolen. Tell yourself, “This is the price of freedom from passion; this is the price of tranquility.” Nothing is gained for nothing. When you call your servant, bear in mind that he may not answer, and even if he does answer, he may do none of the things you want. But he is not so well placed that your freedom from disturbance should depend on him.