You don't pick the role. You play it well.
Epictetus, Enchiridion 17
The source
"You don't pick the role. You play it well." Epictetus said it in Enchiridion 17. Translated by George Long, 1877.
"this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part, belongs to another"George Long, 1877, Enchiridion 17.
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 "You don't pick the role. You play it well."?
- Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD). Source: Enchiridion 17.
- What is the original wording?
- this is your duty, to act well the part that is given to you; but to select the part, belongs to another (George Long, 1877). Translated by George Long, 1877.
Filed under Character.
Wear Epictetus
Don't wish it went your way. Want it the way it goes, and flow.
Epictetus, Enchiridion 8
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Everything has two handles. Grab the one you can carry.
Epictetus, Enchiridion 43
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I'll never be Milo. I still train.
Epictetus, Discourses 1.2.37
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Not right? Don't do it. Not true? Don't say it.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.17
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More from Epictetus
- Some things are yours. Some aren't. Sort them first.Enchiridion 1
- To every scary thought: you're an appearance, not the real thing.Enchiridion 1
- Things don't upset people. Their opinions about things do.Enchiridion 5
- Rookies blame others. Learners blame themselves. Masters blame no one.Enchiridion 5
- Don't wish it went your way. Want it the way it goes, and flow.Enchiridion 8
- Never say "I lost it." Say "I gave it back."Enchiridion 11