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Bend to please someone and you've lost your footing.

Epictetus, Enchiridion 23

The source

"Bend to please someone and you've lost your footing." Epictetus said it in Enchiridion 23. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

"ἐάν ποτέ σοι γένηται ἔξω στραφῆναι πρὸς τὸ βούλεσθαι ἀρέσαι τινί, ἴσθι ὅτι ἀπώλεσας τὴν ἔνστασιν."

Original Greek, Enchiridion 23. Greek: Schenkl 1916 (Teubner) via Perseus.

Who said it

Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD). Born enslaved, became the most influential Stoic teacher of his age. His student Arrian wrote down the Discourses and the Enchiridion.

Questions

Who said "Bend to please someone and you've lost your footing."?
Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD). Source: Enchiridion 23.
What is the original Greek?
ἐάν ποτέ σοι γένηται ἔξω στραφῆναι πρὸς τὸ βούλεσθαι ἀρέσαι τινί, ἴσθι ὅτι ἀπώλεσας τὴν ἔνστασιν. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

Filed under Character.

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