Epictetus · Complete work
Chapter 17
Chapter 17 of 53. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Ancient Greek
[17.1] μέμνησο, ὅτι ὑποκριτὴς εἶ δράματος, οἵου ἂν θέλῃ ὁ διδάσκαλος· ἂν βραχύ, βραχέος· ἂν μακρόν, μακροῦ· ἂν πτωχὸν ὑποκρίνασθαί σε θέλῃ, ἵνα καὶ τοῦτον εὐφυῶς ὑποκρίνῃ ἂν χωλόν, ἂν ἄρχοντα, ἂν ἰδιώτην. σὸν γὰρ τοῦτʼ ἔστι, τὸ δοθὲν ὑποκρίνασθαι πρόσωπον καλῶς· ἐκλέξασθαι δʼ αὐτὸ ἄλλου.
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.
[17.1] Remember that you are an actor in a play of whatever kind the playwright wishes: if a short one, then in a short play; if a long one, then in a long play. If he wishes you to play a beggar, see that you play even this part skillfully; and likewise if your part is a cripple, a magistrate, or a private citizen. For this is your business: to play well the role that has been given to you. But to choose that role belongs to another.
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from all 53 Ancient Greek chapters and 105 sections.
[17.1] Remember that you are an actor in a play of whatever kind the director chooses: if a short one, then in a short one; if a long one, then in a long one. If he wants you to play a poor man, play even that role with natural skill; likewise if he wants you to play a cripple, a ruler, or a private citizen. For your task is to play well the role you have been given; choosing it belongs to someone else.