Discourses · Chapter
To Those Who Fall Off (Desist) from Their Purpose explained
Epictetus encourages those who have failed in their philosophical commitments to renew their efforts immediately, comparing the struggle for virtue to a combat that can be re-entered at any time.
What happens
Epictetus encourages those who have failed in their philosophical commitments to renew their efforts immediately, comparing the struggle for virtue to a combat that can be re-entered at any time. He warns against complacency derived from past failures and emphasizes that recalling past faults should serve as a deterrent, much like a slave remembers blows to avoid punishment.
Themes in this chapter
Rationality and Self-Examination
Epictetus urges the listener to recall past failures and use them as lessons to avoid repeating faults, highlighting the rational process of self-reflection.
Desire and Aversion
The discourse addresses being overpowered by desire (e.g., for a beautiful young girl) and the need to train aversion to such impulses.
Characters to notice
- Epictetus
Speaker of the discourse, urging perseverance and self-correction.
Key passages
“Consider as to the things which you proposed to yourself at first, which you have secured, and which you have not; and how you are pleased when you recall to memory the one, and are pained about the other; and if it is possible, recover the things wherein you failed.”
Reflect on your original goals, what you have achieved and what you have not, and use the pain of failure as motivation to reclaim what you lost.
Epictetus emphasizes the importance of self-audit and resilience.
“For the combat before us is not in wrestling and the Pancration, in which both the successful and the unsuccessful may have the greatest merit, or may have little, and in truth may be very fortunate or very unfortunate; but the combat is for good fortune and happiness themselves.”
Unlike athletic contests where victory or defeat may be trivial, our struggle is for true happiness and well-being.
The stakes of philosophical practice are higher than physical competition.
“You ought, I think, remembering what you did, as slaves remember the blows which they have received, to abstain from the same faults.”
Just as slaves recall painful punishments to avoid repeating mistakes, you should remember the consequences of your past faults to steer clear of them.
Epictetus uses the analogy of a slave's memory of blows to illustrate the need for painful recollection as a deterrent.