The Good Life Handbook: Epictetus' Stoic Classic Enchiridion

by Chuck Chakrapani

The community will benefit more by the presence of a lawful and loyal member than by material gifts. You cannot be much use to the community if you are shameless and corrupt.

Everything has a price. For example, let’s say that someone pays the retail price to get a head of lettuce. If you decide not to pay the price and go without the lettuce, you are not inferior to that person. He has the lettuce, but you still have the money. It’s the same with social situations. If you are not invited to a party, maybe it is because you didn’t pay the price, such as flattering the host or doing things to be in her good books. So if you want to be invited, pay the bill and don’t complain about the cost. But if you expect the benefits without paying the price, you are not only greedy, you are being foolish.

If your body were turned over to someone else, you would be ashamed and outraged. Should you not be equally ashamed when you turn over your mind to others so they can control it? Why do you let your mind be controlled by anyone who happens to criticize you? Why do you get confused and upset?

Judge things precisely If someone bathes quickly, don’t say he doesn’t bathe properly, say he bathes quickly. If someone drinks a lot, don’t say he is a drunk, say he drinks a lot. Unless you know their reasons for their actions, how can you be sure of your negative judgment of them? Not judging others too quickly will save you from misperceiving their actions.