Short Works · Chapter
CV explained
Epictetus advises on discerning between useful advice and harmful flattery, warning that flatterers merely echo the opinions of the powerful.
What happens
Epictetus advises on discerning between useful advice and harmful flattery, warning that flatterers merely echo the opinions of the powerful.
Themes in this chapter
Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline
Focuses on the practical exercise of discernment in social interactions and the discipline required to reject pleasing falsehoods.
Inner Freedom and Slavery
Implies that following flatterers enslaves one to the opinions of the powerful, whereas heeding useful advice supports inner freedom.
Characters to notice
- Epictetus
The speaker delivering the core advice on distinguishing useful counsel from flattery.
Key passages
“Listen to those who wish to advise what is useful, but not to those who are eager to flatter on all occasions;”
Give your ear to people who want to give you helpful advice, but ignore those who are always trying to flatter you.
Direct instruction on selective listening.
“for the first really see what is useful, but the second look to that which agrees with the opinion of those who possess power, and imitating the shadows of bodies they assent to what is said by the powerful.”
This is because the first group genuinely understands what is beneficial, while the second group only cares about aligning with the views of powerful people, mindlessly agreeing with them like shadows mimicking a body.
Explains the motivation behind each type of speech, using a vivid metaphor for flattery.