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RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BEAUTIFUL

“Then what makes a beautiful human being? Isn’t it the presence of human excellence? Young friend, if you wish to be beautiful, then work diligently at human excellence. And what is that? Observe those whom you praise without prejudice. The just or the unjust? The just. The even-tempered or the undisciplined? The even-tempered. The self-controlled or the uncontrolled? The self-controlled. In making yourself that kind of person, you will become beautiful—but to the extent you ignore these qualities, you’ll be ugly, even if you use every trick in the book to appear beautiful.”

- EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES

Summary:
Epictetus teaches that true beauty comes from moral character, not outward appearance. Qualities such as justice, self-control, and calmness define a truly admirable person. To be genuinely beautiful, one must cultivate inner excellence rather than rely on superficial charm or image.

Interpretation:
In real life, this means prioritising your values and behaviour over how you look or are perceived. Society often celebrates physical appearance, but lasting respect and admiration come from being fair, composed, and principled. If you focus on developing integrity and virtue, your character will radiate a deeper kind of beauty that no cosmetic or status symbol can match.

 

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