Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the living, and her eyes they blind.
EpictetusRead
Who are those people by whom you wish to be admired? Are they not these whom you are in the habit of saying that they are mad? What then? Do you wish to be admired by the mad?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote questions the value of seeking admiration from those we consider irrational or misguided.
Epictetus challenges us to reflect on the nature of our desires for approval. He suggests that if we aspire to be admired by those we recognize as 'mad' or foolish, we should reconsider the worth of that admiration. The quote emphasizes the importance of aligning our aspirations for respect and admiration with values that are rational and meaningful.
Themes
AdmirationWisdomSelf-ReflectionApprovalValues
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophy class discussion about the nature of admiration and its implications for personal values.
More from Epictetus
All quotes →Learn to distinguish what you can and can't control. Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, desires and the things that repel us. They are directly subject to our influence.
EpictetusRead
Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
EpictetusRead
Nothing truly stops you. Nothing truly holds you back. For your own will is always within your control. Sickness may challenge your body. But are you merely your body? Lameness may impede your legs. But you are not merely your legs. Your will is bigger than your legs. Your will needn't be affected by an incident unless you let it.
EpictetusRead
The people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
EpictetusRead
Practice yourself, for heaven's sake, in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
EpictetusRead
Similar quotes
When I travel and speak across the country, I often tell college students that we are making a significant mistake when we say to each other that this criminal justice of ours is broken. To say it's broken would be to suggest that it was well designed and had good intentions from the start.
Shaun KingRead
I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side.
Abraham LincolnRead
Feminism has never emerged from the women who are most victimized by sexist oppression; women who are daily beaten down, mentally, physically, and spiritually - women who are powerless to change their condition in life. They are a silent majority.
Bell HooksRead
Having never left the house you are looking for the way home
Sri Nisargadatta MaharajRead
The dead are visible only in the terrible lidless eye of memory. The living, thank heaven, retain the ability to surprise and to disappoint. - Van Houten
John GreenRead
The boundaries of democracy have to be widened so as to include economic equality also. This is the great revolution through which we are all passing.
Jawaharlal NehruRead