Short Works · Chapter
CI explained
A brief, direct admonition to exercise careful deliberation before speaking or acting, emphasizing the irrevocable nature of our words and deeds.
What happens
A brief, direct admonition to exercise careful deliberation before speaking or acting, emphasizing the irrevocable nature of our words and deeds.
Themes in this chapter
Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline
The chapter is a concise, practical rule for ethical conduct, focusing on the discipline of forethought to avoid regret.
Characters to notice
- Epictetus
The author delivering the core instruction on deliberation and the permanence of action.
Key passages
“Deliberate much before saying or doing anything, for you will not have the power of recalling what has been said or done.”
Think carefully before you act or speak, because once something is done, it cannot be undone.
Highlights the Stoic emphasis on prosochē (attention) and the irreversible consequences of our choices.