Short Works · Chapter
CVI explained
Epictetus advises that giving counsel requires first considering the modesty and character of the recipient, as those who have lost the capacity for shame are beyond correction.
What happens
Epictetus advises that giving counsel requires first considering the modesty and character of the recipient, as those who have lost the capacity for shame are beyond correction.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This moment is the emotional and philosophical peak where Epictetus forces the reader into a crisis of choice,…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline
Focuses on the practical application of philosophy in giving advice, emphasizing the need for discernment about who can be helped.
- Social Duty and Relationship
Highlights the responsibility within social interactions, specifically the advisor's duty to assess the moral receptivity of others.
Characters to notice
- Epictetus
The speaker, offering practical advice on the method and audience for philosophical instruction.
Key passages
“The man who gives advice ought first to have regard to the modesty and character (reputation) of those whom he advises; for those who have lost the capacity of blushing are incorrigible.”
An advisor must first consider the sense of shame and moral character of the person they are advising, because someone who can no longer feel shame is impossible to correct.
Establishes a criterion for effective philosophical guidance, linking moral progress to an innate sense of modesty.
