The philosopher's school, ye men, is a surgery: you ought not to go out of it with pleasure, but with pain. For you are not in sound health when you enter.
In "The Discourses," philosopher Epictetus likens the study of philosophy to a surgical process. He emphasizes that engaging with philosophical teachings may not always be a pleasurable experience. Instead, it is often accompanied by discomfort and introspection, reflecting the challenges of addressing one's flaws and limitations. The aim of philosophy is to enhance one's well-being, but the path to improvement involves confronting painful truths about oneself.
By comparing philosophy to surgery,...