# In What Manner We Ought to Bear Sickness explained — Discourses

> Chapter companion for Discourses by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus argues that sickness is a test of philosophical discipline, not an excuse to abandon it. He insists that the philosopher's ruling faculty must remain conformable to nature even in fever, and that one should neither flatter the physician nor fear death. The chapter emphasizes that externals like the body are not our own, and that our only true business is to maintain right will and follow events as they happen.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dichotomy of Control

Epictetus distinguishes between what is in our power (the ruling faculty, will) and what is not (the body, health, physician's pronouncements).

### Philosophy as Practical Discipline

Philosophy is presented as a preparation for events like fever, not as abstract theory; the test of the philosopher is how he bears sickness.

### Providence and Acceptance

The advice to 'follow events' and not blame God or man in sickness aligns with acceptance of divine administration.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

Primary speaker; instructs on bearing sickness with philosophical readiness.

### Apollo

Invoked in the exclamation 'Paean Apollo' as an example of empty ritual.

## Key lines

> Let sleep not come upon thy languid eyes Before each daily action thou hast scann'd; What's done amiss, what done, what left undone; From first to last examine all, and then Blame what is wrong, in what is right rejoice.

Do not sleep until you have reviewed every action of the day, noting what was done well, what poorly, and what omitted, so that you may correct faults and take satisfaction in virtues.

_Epictetus quotes these verses as a practical tool for daily self-examination._

> For it is not the business of a philosopher to look after these externals, neither his wine nor his oil nor his poor body, but his own ruling power.

A philosopher's concern is not with external things like food, possessions, or the body, but only with his own rational faculty.

_Reinforces the Stoic dichotomy of control._

> What is it to bear a fever well? Not to blame God or man; not to be afflicted at that which happens, to expect death well and nobly, to do what must be done.

Bearing a fever well means refraining from blaming gods or people, not being distressed by events, facing death with dignity, and fulfilling one's duties.

_Defines the Stoic ideal of conduct during illness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters/x-in-what-manner-we-ought-to-bear-sickness
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters