Epictetus · Complete work
Chapter 36
Chapter 36 of 53. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Ancient Greek
[36.1] ὡς τὸ ἡμέρα ἐστί καὶ νύξ ἐστι πρὸς μὲν τὸ διεζευγμένον μεγάλην ἔχει ἀξίαν, πρὸς δὲ τὸ συμπεπλεγμένον ἀπαξίαν, οὕτω καὶ τὸ τὴν μείζω μερίδα ἐκλέξασθαι πρὸς μὲν τὸ σῶμα ἐχέτω ἀξίαν, πρὸς δὲ τὸ τὸ κοινωνικὸν ἐν ἑστιάσει, οἷον δεῖ, φυλάξαι, ἀπαξίαν ἔχει. ὅταν οὖν συνεσθίῃς ἑτέρῳ, μέμνησο, μὴ μόνον τὴν πρὸς τὸ σῶμα ἀξίαν τῶν παρακειμένων ὁρᾶν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν πρὸς τὸν ἑστιάτορα αἰδῶ φυλάξαι.
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.
[36.1] Just as the propositions “It is day” and “It is night” have great value when separated but none when joined together, so choosing the larger portion may have value for the body, but has none for preserving, as one ought, the social harmony of a banquet. Therefore, whenever you dine with another, remember not merely to consider the value for the body of the dishes set before you, but also to preserve proper respect for your host.
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from all 53 Ancient Greek chapters and 105 sections.
[36.1] Just as the statements “It is day” and “It is night” have great value when separated by an “or,” but no value when joined by an “and,” so too choosing the larger portion may have value for the body, but it has no value for preserving the social consideration that is proper at a dinner. Therefore, when you eat with someone else, remember not only to consider the value for your body of the food set before you, but also to preserve your respect for your host.