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Musonius Rufus
c. 30–100 CE · Roman Stoic teacher
Gaius Musonius Rufus was a Roman Stoic known for insisting that philosophy must be lived, not debated. He taught both men and women and emphasized frugality, endurance, and ordinary duty. He was the teacher of Epictetus.
Ideas from Musonius Rufus
“For a man to be happy, he must live in accordance with nature, and this is impossible unless he has learned what is in accordance with nature and trained himself to do it.”
Musonius Rufus · Lectures
“If you are going to learn, you must be punished; for the man who is not punished is not taught.”
Musonius Rufus · Lectures
“Neither should a free man be a slave to his body, nor should he neglect it.”
Musonius Rufus · Lectures
“Philosophy is not a skill for display, but a discipline for living.”
Musonius Rufus · Lectures
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