Epictetus · Complete work
Chapter 16
Chapter 16 of 53. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Ancient Greek
[16.1] ὅταν κλαίοντα ἴδῃς τινὰ ἐν πένθει ἢ ἀποδημοῦντος τέκνου ἢ ἀπολωλεκότα τὰ ἑαυτοῦ, πρόσεχε μή σε ἡ φαντασία συναρπάσῃ ὡς ἐν κακοῖς ὄντος αὐτοῦ τοῖς ἐκτός, ἀλλʼ εὐθὺς ἔστω πρόχειρον ὅτι τοῦτον θλίβει οὐ τὸ συμβεβηκός (ἄλλον γὰρ οὐ θλίβει), ἀλλὰ τὸ δόγμα τὸ περὶ τούτου. μέχρι μέντοι λόγου μὴ ὄκνει συμπεριφέρεσθαι αὐτῷ, κἂν οὕτω τύχῃ, καὶ συνεπιστενάξαι· πρόσεχε μέντοι μὴ καὶ ἔσωθεν στενάξῃς.
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.
[16.1] When you see someone weeping in grief because his child is away from home or because he has lost his possessions, take care that you are not swept away by the impression that he is beset by external misfortunes. Instead, let this thought be ready at hand: “What distresses this man is not what has happened—for it does not distress another—but his judgment about it.” Yet do not hesitate to sympathize with him in words and, if occasion calls for it, even to groan with him; but take care that you do not groan inwardly as well.
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from all 53 Ancient Greek chapters and 105 sections.
[16.1] When you see someone weeping in grief because his child is away or because he has lost his possessions, take care not to let the impression carry you away into thinking that he is suffering because of these external events. Instead, keep this thought immediately at hand: “What distresses this person is not what has happened—for it does not distress someone else—but his judgment about it.” Still, as far as words go, do not hesitate to sympathize with him and, if the occasion calls for it, even to groan with him. Take care, however, not to groan inwardly as well.