Discourses · Chapter
XXI: Against Those Who Wish to Be Admired explained
Epictetus argues that a man who holds his proper station in life does not seek things beyond it.
What happens
Epictetus argues that a man who holds his proper station in life does not seek things beyond it. He questions the desire for admiration from those whom one considers mad, emphasizing that one should be satisfied with acting in accordance with nature in desires, aversions, and choices.
Themes in this chapter
Desire and Aversion
Epictetus focuses on being satisfied with desires and aversions that conform to nature, rather than seeking admiration.
Social Duty and Friendship
The chapter implicitly critiques the social posturing of seeking admiration from others, contrasting it with proper social conduct.
Characters to notice
- Epictetus
Speaker and central philosopher in the chapter, critiquing the desire for admiration.
Key passages
“When a man holds his proper station in life, he does not gape after things beyond it.”
A person who understands their role in life does not yearn for what is outside their proper sphere.
Epictetus introduces the core idea of contentment with one's station.
“I am satisfied if I desire and avoid conformably to nature, if I employ movements towards and from an object as I am by nature formed to do, and purpose and design and assent.”
I am content if my desires and aversions align with nature, and I act according to my natural faculties of intention and judgment.
Epictetus defines the Stoic ideal of satisfaction through natural living.
“Why then do you strut before us as if you had swallowed a spit?”
Why do you walk around so arrogantly, as if you had swallowed a rod?
A vivid metaphor criticizing pompous behavior.
“Who are they by whom you wish to be admired? Are they not those of whom you are used to say, that they are mad? Well then do you wish to be admired by madmen?”
Who are these people whose admiration you seek? Aren't they the same ones you call insane? So you want to be admired by the insane?
Epictetus uses a reductio ad absurdum to challenge the desire for admiration.