Facing Lions

“We must undergo a hard winter training and not rush into things for which we haven’t prepared.”

This is perhaps one of Epictetus’ most popular quotes.

If you Google it, you will find a plethora of YouTube videos, motivational speakers, and blog posts, each harping on and on about how one must train in the harshest conditions, how snowstorms make a person tough, and how working out in winter will make one look good in summer.

If you click on a few of the links, you will notice that some also use this line by Epictetus to discuss resisting instant gratification or to emphasize the importance of always working hard in order to succeed. After all, LeBron wouldn’t be LeBron if he had taken summers and weekends off.

Do these interpretations reflect the true message that the Stoic philosopher Epictetus is sharing with his listeners?

Could it be that Epictetus is being severely misunderstood and misrepresented?

I do not doubt that Epictetus, like many other ancients, was well versed in matters of physical training.

But here is another thing I do not doubt: Not one of those bloggers, YouTubers, and motivational speakers actually read the first book of “Epictetus’ discourses as reported by Arrian.”

In fact, I don’t think any of them even took the time to look at the title of the second chapter of the first book, which is where this quote appears. If they had, then they would know that Epictetus was not talking about instant gratification, success, or working out.

So, what was Epictetus really talking about?

Interestingly, reading the chapter title perfectly sets the stage for this quote:

“How may a man preserve his proper character upon every occasion?”

What follows is an intellectually stimulating and challenging discourse on the cost of upholding one's character and integrity.

Epictetus tells four short stories (two of which I believe are accounts of actual events) to demonstrate his central point of knowing the price of one’s own character and preserving it.

I will do my best to briefly summarize one of them:

Roman emperor Vespasian sends word for Priscus not to attend a meeting of the Senate. Priscus says in response that it is in Vespasian’s power not to allow Priscus to be a member of the Senate, but as long as he is one, it is Priscus’ duty to attend the meetings.

“Very well then, but when you attend, hold your peace,” the emperor replies.

Priscus responds, “Do not ask for my opinion, and I will hold my peace.”

Vespasian then explains that, since he is the emperor and Priscus is a member of the Senate, Vespasian is obligated to ask Priscus’ opinion.

“And I am obligated to answer what seems to me right,” is Priscus’ response.

“But if you speak, I shall put you to death,” the emperor warns.

“Well, when did I ever tell you that I was immortal?” Priscus retorts, “You will do your part and I mine. It is yours to put me to death, mine to die without a tremor; yours to banish, mine to leave without sorrow.”

What good did Priscus do? He was only one individual.

What good did he do other than remaining steadfast in his integrity and being an example for others?

Had the emperor told another Senate member to remain absent in such circumstances, the senator would have certainly rejoiced.

In Epictetus’ own words:

“A man like that (who would stay absent when threatened), Caesar (who is Emperor Vespasian) would not even have tried to keep from attending but would have known that he would either sit like a jug, or, if he spoke, would say what he knew Caesar wanted said, and would pile up any amount more on the top of it.”

The central question that is inspired by this story is, “At what point is a man willing to sell his character and integrity?

Is the threat of death enough?

Valiant Priscus would say, “No.”

He would later be banished and then executed by order of Vespasian.

How does our “winter training” quote fit into all of this?

Well, that line actually comes on the scene now. The stage has been properly set…

An onlooker asks Epictetus as he speaks, “How, then, shall each of us become aware of what is appropriate to his own proper character?”

Epictetus answers with the following:

“How comes it that when the lion charges, the bull alone is aware of his own prowess and rushes forward to defend the whole herd? Or is it clear that with the possession of the prowess comes immediately the consciousness of it also? And so, among us too, whoever has such prowess will not be unaware of it.

Yet a bull does not become a bull all at once, any more than a man becomes noble, but a man must undergo a winter training, he must prepare himself, and must not plunge recklessly into what is inappropriate for him.

Only consider at what price you sell your freedom of will.

If you must sell it, man, at least do not sell it cheap. But the great and pre-eminent deed, perhaps, befits others, Socrates and men of his stamp.

Why then, if we are endowed by nature for such greatness, do not all men, or many, become like him (Socrates)?

Do all horses become swift, and all dogs keen to follow the scent?

What then? Because I have no natural gifts, shall I, on that account, give up my discipline?

Far be it from me! Epictetus will not be better than Socrates; but if only I am not worse, that suffices me. For I shall not be a Milo (a Greek wrestler), either, and yet I do not neglect my body; nor a Croesus (ancient King of Lydia), and yet I do not neglect my property; nor, in a word, is there any other field in which we give up the appropriate discipline merely from despair of attaining the highest.”

There is our line! … undergo a long winter training before plunging into matters recklessly for which you are unprepared.

Do you see how it is embedded in the discussion of character?

Do you see how Epictetus encourages his listeners throughout his entire talk to observe their own character, to recognize its true value, and to identify at what point it would break … at what point they would be willing to sell their freedom of choice?

But then, he offers words of caution: Undergo a long winter training first.

In ancient times, winter was often a period when armies disbanded or took up permanent quarters. It was a time when training was rigorous, and warriors prepared for the battles that would resume in the spring.

Character is forged in the same way that soldiers prepare during a long winter training.

The bull faces the lion because he is aware of his own prowess.

But the bull was not born ready to fight lions.

So too, man is not born with strength of character. And so, before staring down lions, Epictetus says one must undergo a long winter training so that his heart will be hardy, his character refined, and his integrity bolstered.

Only a fool would believe himself to be a bull in character while actually still being a calf.

Now, I think there are two valuable takeaways from today’s contemplation:

First, Google “Epictetus, Discourses, 1.2.32 pdf”, get the writing, and read the entire chapter. My brief summary did not do it justice.

Ponder the thoughts Epictetus shares in this chapter. I do not yet have a fully formed opinion of them myself.

Certainly, there is immeasurable value in upholding one's integrity.

Certainly, forging an incorruptible character is of utmost importance.

…and it takes a long winter training to do this.

But at what point does character become a façade for ego?

At what point does integrity slip into pride?

Read Epictetus’ chapter. You’ll see what I am talking about.

Second, Google the opening quote. Click on the links and see how people twist Epictetus’ words. Recognize that we live in a quote-crazy world.

Few take the time to read even the title of the chapter from which they ripped the quote. If Epictetus could see people using his words, which were meant to develop character, as gym motivation, he would undoubtedly be turning in his grave.

Sadly, Epictetus is not the only victim of such disrespectful quote mining behavior. Many ancient and contemporary authors have also become victims; their numbers include Marcus Aurelius, the authors of the biblical writings, Seneca, Franz Kafka, and Viktor Frankl, among others.

I am not saying we can’t find and use quotes we like. I am saying that context matters; it may matter more than even the words of the quote themselves.

It is easy to pick out a quote.

It is hard to read the whole book.