# Difficulties Show What People Are by Epictetus > “It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.” > **— Epictetus**, *Discourses, 1.24* ## Sources and Context - **Direct or authoritative text:** [Discourses, 1.24](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0236%3Atext%3Ddisc%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D24) — George Long’s public-domain translation of *Discourses* 1.24; the parenthetical “difficulties” belongs to the published translation. - **Why it belongs here:** The passage describes improvement, revelation, learning, or increased capability through opposition, error, difficulty, or adversity. It does not imply that unlimited injury is beneficial. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Book:** [[books/Chimping Out|Chimping Out]] - **Article:** [[articles/Ideas as Lindy Organisms|Ideas as Lindy Organisms]] - **Article:** [[articles/artificial-intelligence/Cybernetic Domestication Syndrome of Men and AI|Cybernetic Domestication Syndrome of Men and AI]] - **Article:** [[articles/Authorship After the Threshold|Authorship After the Threshold]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Antifragility|Antifragility]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.” — Epictetus, Discourses, 1.24 https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-epictetus-difficulties-show-character ```