Remember that it is not he who reviles you or strikes you, who insults you, but it is your opinion about these things as being insulting. When then a man irritates you, you must know that it is your own opinion which has irritated you.
Genuine
Yes. In Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 20 (first two sentences); George Long translation, chapter XX.
Found word for word by program in the Greek original and in George Long’s English translation.
- Work
- Enchiridion (Handbook) (Ἐγχειρίδιον), 107
- Where
- Section 20 (first two sentences); George Long translation, chapter XX
- Found at
- Paragraph 48 of the Greek text, 42 of the English
- Translation
- George Long
Researched by AI; checked by program against the full text on 31 October 2026. Editorial review: pending. How we check
On the page
[…] But you yourself will not wish to be a general or senator ([Greek: prutanis]) or consul, but a free man: and there is only one way to this, to despise (care not for) the things which are not in our power.
ὅρα μήποτε ἰδών τινα προτιμώμενον ἢ μέγα δυνάμενον ἢ ἄλλως εὐδοκιμοῦντα μακαρίσῃς, ὑπὸ τῆς φαντασίας συναρπασθείς. ἐὰν γὰρ ἐν τοῖς ἐφ’ ἡμῖν ἡ οὐσία τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ ᾖ, οὔτε φθόνος οὔτε ζηλοτυπία χώραν ἔχει: σύ τε αὐτὸς οὐ στρατηγός, οὐ πρύτανις ἢ ὕπατος εἶναι θελήσεις, ἀλλ’ ἐλεύθερος. μία δὲ ὁδὸς πρὸς τοῦτο, καταφρόνησις τῶν οὐκ ἐφ’ ἡμῖν.
Remember that it is not he who reviles you or strikes you, who insults you, but it is your opinion about these things as being insulting. When then a man irritates you, you must know that it is your own opinion which has irritated you. Therefore especially try not to be carried away by the appearance. For if you once gain time and delay, you will more easily master yourself.
Μέμνησο, ὅτι οὐχ ὁ λοιδορῶν ἢ ὁ τύπτων ὑβρίζει, ἀλλὰ τὸ δόγμα τὸ περὶ τούτων ὡς ὑβριζόντων. ὅταν οὖν ἐρεθίσῃ σέ τις, ἴσθι, ὅτι ἡ σή σε ὑπόληψις ἠρέθικε. τοιγαροῦν ἐν πρώτοις πειρῶ ὑπὸ τῆς φαντασίας μὴ συναρπασθῆναι: ἂν γὰρ ἅπαξ χρόνου καὶ διατριβῆς τύχῃς, ῥᾷον κρατήσεις σεαυτοῦ.
The scene
The Handbook considers how to respond to someone who abuses or strikes the student. It distinguishes the external action from the judgment that treats it as an affront. The rest of the section advises gaining time before assenting to the impression, so that self-command becomes easier.
What it means
The judgment that an insult has diminished you helps produce your anger. A pause gives you room to examine that judgment instead of reacting immediately.
Often misread
The paragraph includes physical blows, but its target is the student’s judgment of moral injury, not the reality of bodily injury. It should not be used to excuse an attacker, blame a victim, or discourage protection from abuse.
Use with care
An exercise in responding to provocation, not a denial of physical harm or an instruction to remain in danger.
Topics
Related quotes
- Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things.
- Never say about anything, I have lost it, but say I have restored it.
- For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part, belongs to another.
- Let death and exile and every other thing which appears dreadful be daily before your eyes; but most of all death: and you will never think of anything mean nor will you desire anything extravagantly.
- You become what you give your attention to. (misattributed)
Sources
Cite it
Epictetus, Enchiridion (Handbook) (107), Section 20 (first two sentences); George Long translation, chapter XX, translated by George Long. Checked at Quotogeny, https://quotogeny.com/q/it-is-your-opinion-which-insults-you/ (31 October 2026).
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Checked by people
People who checked this entry against its source, under their own names. Their checks do not change the verdict: an editor reviews every entry.
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