Short Works · Chapter
On Prescribing a Character and Social Conduct explained
Epictetus provides detailed, practical advice on how to conduct oneself in both solitude and society.
What happens
Epictetus provides detailed, practical advice on how to conduct oneself in both solitude and society. He instructs on maintaining silence, moderating laughter, avoiding vulgar topics and company, using the body's necessities without luxury, and managing social interactions with superiors and in groups. The chapter emphasizes constant self-vigilance to avoid being corrupted by external influences and to align one's actions with philosophical principles.
Themes in this chapter
Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline
The entire chapter is a manual of disciplined behavior, prescribing specific actions and abstentions in daily social life to cultivate virtue.
Moderation and Simplicity
Emphasized in rules for speech, laughter, consumption (food, drink, clothing), and avoidance of luxury and show.
Social Duty and Relationship
Guidance on how to interact with associates, strangers, superiors, and in groups, balancing personal integrity with social obligations without becoming disagreeable.
Characters to notice
- Epictetus
The narrator and teacher, delivering the prescriptive advice on character and conduct.
- Socrates
Invoked as a model to emulate when preparing to meet someone, especially a superior.
- The Gods
Implied as the source of the universal order and fate that one must accept, underlying the advice to desire only what is done.
Key passages
“Immediately prescribe some character and some form to yourself, which you shall observe both when you are alone and when you meet with men.”
Decide on the person you want to be and consistently act that way, in private and in public.
Foundational call to intentional self-formation.
“If your companion be impure, he also who keeps company with him must become impure, though he should happen to be pure.”
Bad company corrupts, even if you start out with good character.
A warning about the infectious nature of poor morals in social settings.
“Take (apply) the things which relate to the body as far as the bare use, as food, drink, clothing, house, and slaves: but exclude everything which is for show or luxury.”
Use material things only for their basic function, not for appearance or extravagance.
Core Stoic principle of using externals according to nature, not desire.
“When you are going to any of those who are in great power... bear what happens, and never say to yourself that it was not worth the trouble. For this is silly, and marks the character of a man who is offended by externals.”
When dealing with powerful people, accept any rejection without complaint. To be upset shows you are controlled by external events.
Direct application of the dichotomy of control to social slights.