We Must Know Better

Sometimes we say things that we think are true but we are actually speculating. In the Handbook of Epictetus we are told that “Someone takes a bath quickly; do not say that he does it badly”. (Epictetus Section 45) this interesting because it describes how we can do things quickly and correctly, which is something we are told don’t match. I often hear people telling me “you couldn’t have done your best in that little time”, and in fact I did.

Another thing, similar to the one I just mentioned, about people who judge others out of speculation is the way they want to correct you. They think the way they are doing something is the correct way and your way is wrong. “For example, at a banquet do not say how a person ought to eat, but eat as a person ought to”. (Epictetus Section 46) I completely agree with this statement and sometimes have done this. In my family (my mothers side) I am the oldest of my cousins and constantly have to “eat as a person ought to” or set the example. I don’t tell my cousins what to do, I just do the right thing, expecting them to learn and do what is supposed to in the future. We must all set the example at some point in our lives and I think it is necessary for us to do so.