# LXXXIII explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus uses the analogy of breeding lions to advise a ruler that the character of the citizens is more important than the splendor of the city's buildings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue as the Only Good

The chapter prioritizes the 'manly character' (virtue) of citizens as the true good for a ruler to cultivate, over external 'costliness'.

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

Offers concrete, ethical advice for leadership, focusing on what is within a ruler's control—fostering virtue—rather than external appearances.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The author and speaker, offering direct advice on governance.

## Key lines

> As, if you wished to breed lions, you would not care about the costliness of their dens, but about the habits of the animals;

Just as a lion breeder focuses on the lions' nature, not their cages,

_Analogy establishing the primary focus._

> so, if you attempt to preside over your citizens, be not so anxious about the costliness of the buildings as careful about the manly character of those who dwell in them.

so a ruler should prioritize the virtue of the people over the grandeur of the city.

_The core Stoic advice applied to governance._

## Links

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