# Socrates — Short Works character guide

> Socrates in Short Works by Epictetus.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0000-the-enchiridion

## Snapshot

The philosopher Epictetus holds up as proof that a man can become perfect by attending to nothing except reason, even when the contest cannot be deferred.

## Who they are

Socrates appears throughout these works not as a biography but as the finished model against whom the reader is measured. Epictetus uses him as a mirror and a rebuke: you are not yet a Socrates, but you ought to live as one who wishes to be. His presence gives the early teaching its emotional weight, showing that Stoic progress is not abstract theory but a life actually completed under pressure.

## Relationships

### [Epictetus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/characters/epictetus)

_psychological_

Epictetus venerates Socrates as the ultimate philosophical role model and moral exemplar.

### [Simplicius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/characters/simplicius)

_psychological_

Simplicius, as a later commentator, analyzes and reveres the philosophical methods and life of Socrates.

### [Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/characters/plato)

_friendship_

Plato was a student and friend of Socrates, immortalizing his teacher's life and philosophy in his dialogues.

### [The Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/characters/the_gods)

_psychological_

Socrates famously followed his divine sign (daimonion) and was devoted to the god of Delphi.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/v)

Cited as the exemplar whose judgment proves death is not terrible, thus grounding the argument in a philosophical authority.

### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/xxxii)

Cited as an authority on when one ought to go to divination, specifically for matters where reason or art provides no means of knowing the outcome.

### [On Prescribing a Character and Social Conduct](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Invoked as a model to emulate when preparing to meet someone, especially a superior.

### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/xlvi)

Presented as the exemplar who avoided ostentation by taking people to other philosophers instead of promoting himself, embodying the lesson.

### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/li)

Presented as the perfected example of one who attended solely to reason and constantly improved himself.

### [Chapter LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/liii)

Quoted in the third maxim, demonstrating acceptance of his fate and the inability of his accusers to truly harm him.

### [CXIV No man is free who is not master of himself.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/cxiv)

Referenced as an example of one who was free because he was master of his own passions and desires.

### [CXXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/cxxxiii)

Cited as a prime example of a virtuous man who was poor, whose good is eternal, in contrast to the wealthy Themistocles.

### [Some Fragments of Epictetus Omitted by Upton and by Meibomius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/some-fragments-of-epictetus-omitted-by-upton-and-by-meibomius)

Cited in two fragments: one for his indifference to lavish preparations for friends, and another for his refusal of King Archelaus's wealth, demonstrating self-sufficiency.

### [CLXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/clxx)

Implied philosophical tradition; the 'wise men' the youth claims to have conversed with are likely in the Socratic lineage.

### [CLXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/clxxiii)

Demonstrates indifference to external preparations, defining friendship by inner character rather than material display.

### [Chapter CLXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/clxxiv)

Rejects King Archelaus's offer of riches, declaring his sufficiency with Athens's basic provisions of cheap meal and water.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/endnotes)

Quoted from Plato's 'Crito' and 'Apology' in the commentary.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/characters/socrates
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/characters