Proper 17C
"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” Said by the Greek philosopher Epictetus. Interestingly, Epictetus started life as a slave, born in the year 50, but his owner gave him permission to study and eventually he made his way as a Stoic philosopher teaching on ethics in Rome, until he was banished of course, as the Emperor at that time banished all philosophical study from Rome. Epictetus is still known for his pithy teachings, written down by his students. "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." "He who laughs at himself, never runs out of things to laugh at." along with hundreds more. I chose the first one, "It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows." because it gets at the heart of the first parable for today from the gospel of Luke. Jesus is speaking of humility. Knowing our place in the world and not over-estimating ou...