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Chapter XV explained

Epictetus uses the metaphor of a banquet to illustrate the proper attitude towards life's offerings—such as family, status, and wealth—advising to accept what comes with decency, let pass what leaves, and not crave what is not yet present,

What happens

Epictetus uses the metaphor of a banquet to illustrate the proper attitude towards life's offerings—such as family, status, and wealth—advising to accept what comes with decency, let pass what leaves, and not crave what is not yet present, thereby achieving divine partnership.

Themes in this chapter

  • Moderation and Simplicity

    The banquet metaphor directly teaches taking only what is offered with decency, not grasping or craving, embodying moderation.

  • Acceptance of Nature and Fate

    The instruction to accept what is 'carried round' to you, let pass what leaves, and not desire what is not yet present is a clear lesson in accepting the flow of life and external events.

Characters to notice

  • Epictetus

    The narrator and teacher, presenting the central banquet metaphor as a guide for ethical conduct.

  • The Gods

    Presented as the ideal hosts of the banquet of life; the goal is to become a worthy partner at their table through proper conduct.

Key passages

  • “Remember that in life you ought to behave as at a banquet. Suppose that something is carried round and is opposite to you. Stretch out your hand and take a portion with decency.”

    In life, accept the good things that come your way with grace and propriety, as you would at a formal dinner.

    Establishes the core metaphor and the principle of accepting what is appropriately offered.

  • “Suppose that it passes by you. Do not detain it. Suppose that it is not yet come to you. Do not send your desire forward to it, but wait till it is opposite to you.”

    If something leaves your life, let it go. If something you want hasn't arrived yet, don't anxiously crave it; wait until it is truly available.

    Teaches non-attachment to what is lost and patience for what is not yet given.

  • “Do so with respect to children, so with respect to a wife, so with respect to magisterial offices, so with respect to wealth...”

    Apply this same attitude to your family, your social positions, and your material possessions.

    Extends the metaphor to key areas of human concern, making the lesson universally applicable.

  • “But if you take none of the things which are set before you, and even despise them, then you will be not only a fellow banqueter with the gods, but also a partner with them in power.”

    If you can abstain from or even view life's offerings with indifference, you achieve a higher, god-like state of autonomy and power.

    Presents the ultimate Stoic ideal of complete independence from externals, exemplified by philosophers like Diogenes.

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