# LXXX explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus advises that before one seeks to adorn their city with physical monuments, they must first dedicate themselves to cultivating the virtues of gentleness, justice, and beneficence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue as the Only Good

Explicitly identifies gentleness, justice, and beneficence as the 'noblest offering,' framing virtue as the primary and essential adornment.

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

Provides a practical rule for action: self-improvement in virtue must precede and underpin any public-facing acts of civic contribution.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The speaker, delivering the core instruction to prioritize inner virtue over external civic adornment.

## Key lines

> If you propose to adorn your city by the dedication of offerings (monuments), first dedicate to yourself (decorate yourself with) the noblest offering of gentleness, and justice and beneficence.

Before you build statues or monuments to beautify your city, you must first beautify your own character with the virtues of gentleness, justice, and doing good for others.

_A clear hierarchy is established: inner moral development is the necessary foundation for any meaningful external contribution._

## Links

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