Discourses · Chapter
On the Power of Speaking explained
Epictetus argues that while the faculty of speaking has value, it is subordinate to the faculty of the will (prohairesis), which alone determines happiness or unhappiness.
What happens
Epictetus argues that while the faculty of speaking has value, it is subordinate to the faculty of the will (prohairesis), which alone determines happiness or unhappiness. He warns against becoming captivated by eloquence or logical theorems as ends in themselves, likening them to pleasant inns on a journey home. The true purpose is to align one's will with nature, obey Zeus, and achieve freedom from disturbance.
Themes in this chapter
Dichotomy of Control
Epictetus distinguishes between the will (which is in our power) and external faculties like speaking (which are not).
Philosophy as Practical Discipline
The chapter warns against treating philosophy as mere intellectual exercise; the goal is to live virtuously.
Desire and Aversion
The will must be trained to avoid frustration in desires and to never fall into what we would avoid.
Characters to notice
- Epictetus
Speaker and primary philosopher; argues for the supremacy of the will over the speaking faculty.
- Chrysippus
Mentioned as a master of syllogisms; Epictetus notes that even such skill does not prevent wretchedness.
- Epicurus
Criticized for elevating the flesh above the will; Epictetus questions who wrote his philosophical works.
- Demosthenes
Cited as an example of great oratory that does not guarantee happiness.
- Thersites
Used in a hypothetical about perceiving no difference between beauty and ugliness.
- Achilles
Contrasted with Thersites in the same hypothetical about recognizing differences.
Key passages
“But to take away the faculty of speaking and to say that there is no such faculty in reality, is the act not only of an ungrateful man towards those who gave it, but also of a cowardly man.”
Denying the reality of the speaking faculty is both ungrateful to the gods and cowardly, as it stems from fear of being unable to despise it.
Epictetus defends the value of speech while insisting it is subordinate to the will.
“Men generally act as a traveller would do on his way to his own country, when he enters a good inn, and being pleased with it should remain there. Man, you have forgotten your purpose: you were not travelling to this inn, but you were passing through it.”
People become so attached to pleasant distractions—like eloquence or logic—that they forget their true goal: to live virtuously and fulfill their duties.
The inn metaphor illustrates the danger of mistaking means for ends.
“For what hinders you from being an unfortunate man, even if you speak like Demosthenes? and what prevents you, if you can resolve syllogisms like Chrysippus, from being wretched, from sorrowing, from envying, in a word, from being disturbed, from being unhappy? Nothing.”
Skill in speaking or logic does not guarantee happiness; only a rightly directed will can prevent misery.
Epictetus emphasizes that external accomplishments are irrelevant to inner peace.