The Handbook of Epictetus
Handbook 17
Translated by Clint Miller
English
Remember that you are an actor in a play, and the director chooses the kind of play: short if he wants it short, long if he wants it long. If he wants you to play a beggar, play even that part skillfully – or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen. For this is yours: to play the assigned role well. Choosing the role belongs to someone else.
Greek
μέμνησο, ὅτι ὑποκριτὴς εἶ δράματος, οἵου ἂν θέλῃ ὁ διδάσκαλος· ἂν βραχύ, βραχέος· ἂν μακρόν, μακροῦ· ἂν πτωχὸν ὑποκρίνασθαί σε θέλῃ, ἵνα καὶ τοῦτον εὐφυῶς ὑποκρίνῃ ἂν χωλόν, ἂν ἄρχοντα, ἂν ἰδιώτην. σὸν γὰρ τοῦτ’ ἔστι, τὸ δοθὲν ὑποκρίνασθαι πρόσωπον καλῶς· ἐκλέξασθαι δ’ αὐτὸ ἄλλου.
Report a text issue
Prepare correction emailcorrections@ambitcoreader.com