Short Works · Chapter
CLXXIX explained
Epictetus, through the accounts of Favorinus and Arrian, criticizes pseudo-philosophers who engage with philosophy in words only, not deeds.
What happens
Epictetus, through the accounts of Favorinus and Arrian, criticizes pseudo-philosophers who engage with philosophy in words only, not deeds. He uses a vivid metaphor of pouring fine teachings into a filthy vessel, where they become corrupted. He also identifies the two worst vices as intolerance and incontinence, offering the two-word remedy: 'Bear and Forbear.'
Themes in this chapter
Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline
Core critique of philosophers who stop at words ('μέχρι τοῦ λέγειν') without action ('ἄνευ τοῦ πράττειν'), emphasizing deeds over discourse.
Inner Freedom and Slavery
The vices of intolerance (not bearing injuries) and incontinence (not abstaining from pleasures) are framed as forms of inner enslavement, with 'Bear and Forbear' as the path to freedom.
Characters to notice
- Epictetus
Criticizes false philosophers who lack moral practice, uses the vessel metaphor, and prescribes 'Bear and Forbear' as a cure for core vices.
- Favorinus
Cited as the source who relayed Epictetus's sayings about pseudo-philosophers and the two worst vices.
- Arrian
His records of Epictetus's Discourses are referenced for the extended metaphor of the corrupted vessel.
Key passages
“plerosque istos qui philosophari videntur, philosophos esse hujuscemodi, ἄνευ τοῦ πράττειν, μέχρι τοῦ λέγειν”
Most of those who seem to philosophize are philosophers of this sort: without action, only up to the point of speaking.
Condemns theoretical philosophy divorced from practical living.
“Ἄνθρωπε, ποῦ βάλλεις; σκέψαι εἰ κεκάθαρται τὸ ἀγγεῖον. ἂν γὰρ εἰς τὴν οἴησιν βάλλῃς, ἀπώλετο.”
Man, where are you pouring it? Consider if the vessel is clean. For if you pour it into a filthy one, it is ruined.
Metaphor for imparting wisdom to a morally corrupt person; the teachings become corrupted.
“duo esse vitia multo omnium gravissima et taeterrima, intolerantiam et incontinentiam... Verba duo haec dicebat, Ἀνέχου καὶ Ἀπέχου.”
There are two vices far the gravest and foulest of all: intolerance and incontinence... He used to say these two words: 'Bear and Forbear.'
Epictetus's concise ethical prescription for a tranquil life.