# Chapter LVI explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus praises Agrippinus for his humility and his philosophical practice of accepting and even writing about every disagreeable event—fever, disgrace, banishment—as a matter of course, illustrating this with an anecdote where Agrippinus calmly receives news of his banishment from Nero and decides to dine at Aricia instead.

## Themes in this chapter

### Acceptance of Nature and Fate

Agrippinus's practice of writing about and calmly accepting every 'disagreeable' event—fever, disgrace, banishment—as part of the natural course of things.

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

Agrippinus's humility (never praising himself) and his active, written reflection on misfortunes as a disciplined exercise in maintaining equanimity.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

Narrates the chapter, recounting the virtues and actions of Agrippinus as an exemplar.

### Agrippinus

Praised for never praising himself and for his Stoic acceptance of misfortunes like fever, disgrace, and banishment, exemplified by his calm reaction to Nero's order.

### The Gods

Implied as the source of fate or the natural order that Agrippinus accepts without complaint.

## Key lines

> It is just to commend Agrippinus for this reason, that though he was a man of the highest worth, he never praised himself; but even if another person praised him, he would blush.

Agrippinus deserves praise precisely because, despite his great merit, he was humble and never boasted; praise from others even embarrassed him.

_Highlights the virtue of humility._

> And he was such a man (Epictetus said) that he would write in praise of anything disagreeable that befell him; if it was a fever, he would write of a fever; if he was disgraced, he would write of disgrace; if he were banished, of banishment.

His character was such that he would compose writings celebrating any misfortune that happened to him, treating fever, disgrace, or exile as subjects worthy of positive reflection.

_Illustrates the active practice of accepting fate._

> And on one occasion (he mentioned) when he was going to dine, a messenger brought him news that Nero commanded him to go into banishment; on which Agrippinus said, Well then we will dine at Aricia.

Once, as he was about to have dinner, a messenger arrived with Nero's order exiling him. Agrippinus simply responded, 'Alright then, we'll dine at Aricia.'

_Exemplifies undisturbed composure in the face of a major external disruption._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/lvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters