The Handbook of Epictetus
Handbook 3
Translated by Clint Miller
English
With everything that delights you, or is useful to you, or that you love, remember to tell yourself what kind of thing it is – starting with the smallest things. If you love a jug, say, “I love a jug.” Then when it breaks, you will not be disturbed. When you kiss your child or your wife, say that you are kissing a human being. Then when death comes, you will not be disturbed.
Greek
ἐφ’ ἑκάστου τῶν ψυχαγωγούντων ἢ χρείαν παρεχόντων ἢ στεργομένων μέμνησο ἐπιλέγειν, ὁποῖόν ἐστιν, ἀπὸ τῶν σμικροτάτων ἀρξάμενος· ἂν χύτραν στέργῃς, ὅτι «χύτραν στέργω.» κατεαγείσης γὰρ αὐτῆς οὐ ταραχθήσῃ· ἂν παιδίον σαυτοῦ καταφιλῇς ἢ γυναῖκα, ὅτι ἄνθρωπον καταφιλεῖς· ἀποθανόντος γὰρ οὐ ταραχθήσῃ.
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