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“The man did not know the rest of my faults, for he would not have mentioned these only.”
Epictetus answers insult without retaliation by turning attention toward his own fallibility; the joke reduces the critic’s power because reputation is treated as an external judgment rather than something that must be avenged.
Source note: Enchiridion, section 33 in George Long’s public-domain translation, Project Gutenberg #10661. The line is the suggested reply after hearing that someone has spoken ill of you; it is Stoic self-command, not an instruction to accept abuse without boundaries.
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“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.”
Retaliation is rejected when it would reproduce the very behavior one condemns.
Source note: Meditations 6.6; wording varies by translation.
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“Mildness and gentleness are more manly than anger and discontent.”
Strength is located in self-command and humane restraint rather than aggression, making gentleness compatible with courage.
Source note: Meditations, Book XI; George Long translation, in a reflection on responding to wrongdoing without anger.
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“Say nothing more to thyself than what the first appearances report.”
The instruction separates observation from added interpretation, helping prevent an initial event from becoming a larger story of injury or fear.
Source note: Meditations, Book VIII, section 49, George Long translation.
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“Fortify thyself with contentment: that is an impregnable stronghold.”
Contentment creates a form of inward security because satisfaction becomes less dependent on circumstances that can be taken away.
Source note: The Golden Sayings of Epictetus, saying XVII, Hastings Crossley translation.
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“What is the happy life? It is peace of mind, and lasting tranquillity.”
Happiness is defined as durable mental order rather than constant excitement, pleasure, or favorable luck.
Source note: Letter 92 asks what makes a happy life and connects it with peace of mind and stable judgment.