If you wish your house to be well managed, imitate the Spartan Lycurgus. For as he did not fence his city with walls, but fortified the inhabitants by virtue and preserved the city always free;35 so do you not cast around {your house} a large court and raise high towers, but strengthen the dwellers by good-will and fidelity and friendship, and then nothing harmful will enter it, not even if the whole band of wickedness shall array itself against it.
📖 Epictetus
In the passage from Epictetus's "Handbook," the philosopher emphasizes the importance of internal strength over external defenses when managing a household. He draws a parallel with the ancient Spartan leader Lycurgus, who chose not to build walls around his city but instead focused on cultivating virtue among its citizens. This approach underlines the idea that moral character and community spirit serve as the true protection against harm.
Epictetus suggests that rather than fortifying one's home with physical barriers, it is far more effective to cultivate goodwill, loyalty, and friendship among household members. By fostering a strong sense of unity and trust, a household becomes resilient against threats. Ultimately, the strength of the relationships within a home can withstand even the most formidable challenges posed by external forces.
