51. Most of Your Care Is in the Wrong Place

Epictetus steps back and names a trap students of philosophy keep falling into. Most of their care is in the wrong place.

The first and most necessary part of philosophy is the use of the lessons themselves. For example: we ought not to lie.

The second is the part of proofs. For example: why is it that we ought not to lie?

The third is the part that gives strength and clearness to the first two. For example: why is this a proof? What is a proof? What follows from what? What is contradiction? What is truth? What is falsehood?

The third part is needed for the sake of the second, and the second for the sake of the first.

The first part is the one most needed, and the one we ought to rest on.

We act the other way around. We spend all our time on the third part. We put all our care into it. We leave the first part alone.

So, at the very moment we are lying, we are quick to show how it can be proved that lying is wrong.

What this means. Do the right thing first. Explain later if you must. Most of us reverse the order.