← All chapters

Short Works · Chapter

CLXX explained

Epictetus uses a witty analogy to deflate a young man's boast about conversing with wise men, comparing it to conversing with rich men without becoming rich, thus highlighting the distinction between mere association and genuine acquisition

What happens

Epictetus uses a witty analogy to deflate a young man's boast about conversing with wise men, comparing it to conversing with rich men without becoming rich, thus highlighting the distinction between mere association and genuine acquisition of qualities.

Themes in this chapter

  • Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

    The anecdote is a practical lesson against vanity and empty boasting, emphasizing that true wisdom is an internal state achieved through practice, not mere association.

  • Virtue as the Only Good

    Implied critique that wisdom (a virtue) cannot be acquired passively like external possessions; it must be cultivated within.

Characters to notice

  • Epictetus

    Delivers the core analogy to challenge the young man's boast, demonstrating practical teaching through pointed dialogue.

  • Socrates

    Implied philosophical tradition; the 'wise men' the youth claims to have conversed with are likely in the Socratic lineage.

Key passages

  • “I am wise, for I have conversed with many wise men;”

    The young man claims wisdom based solely on his associations.

    Represents a common misunderstanding of philosophical attainment.

  • “I also have conversed with many rich men, but I am not rich.”

    Epictetus counters that exposure does not equal possession.

    Uses analogy to expose the logical flaw in the boast, focusing on the internal nature of true qualities.

Read this chapter freeBook page