green numbers give full details | back to texts | unexpand this idea
| 23367 | Even pointing a finger should only be done for a reason |
| Full Idea: Philosophy says it is not right even to stretch out a finger without some reason. | |||
| From: Epictetus (fragments/reports [c.57], 15) | |||
| A reaction: The key point here is that philosophy concerns action, an idea on which Epictetus is very keen. He rather despise theory. This idea perfectly sums up the concept of the wholly rational life (which no rational person would actually want to live!). |