# Chapter XXIII explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus warns against compromising one's philosophical principles to gain external approval, asserting that such action means losing one's purpose. He advises to find satisfaction in being a philosopher for oneself, not for the appearance to others.

## Themes in this chapter

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

Focuses on the practical discipline of aligning actions with one's philosophical purpose, not external validation.

### Inner Freedom and Slavery

Warns that being 'turned to externals to please' someone is a form of slavery and a loss of one's guiding purpose.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The speaker delivering the core admonition and advice on maintaining philosophical integrity.

## Key lines

> If it should ever happen to you to be turned to externals in order to please some person, you must know that you have lost your purpose in life.

If you compromise your principles to seek someone else's approval, you have fundamentally lost your way.

_A stark warning against valuing external opinion over internal integrity._

> Be satisfied then in everything with being a philosopher; and if you wish to seem also to any person to be a philosopher, appear so to yourself, and you will be able to do this.

Find your fulfillment in actually being a philosopher. If you want to appear as one to others, first appear as one to yourself—that is all you need.

_Emphasizes that true philosophical identity is internal and self-validating._

## Links

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