The Good Life Handbook: Epictetus' Stoic Classic Enchiridion

by Chuck Chakrapani

You cannot be in agreement with nature and, at the same time, care about things outside your control.

You can, however, avoid disappointment and be free if you do not desire or avoid things that other people control.

Be your own witness if you need one. You don’t need any more witness than that.

Why do you let your mind be controlled by anyone who happens to criticize you? Why do you get confused and upset?

We are here to be in tune with the natural order of things and welcome whatever happens as the product of the highest intelligence. This way you will neither blame the divine order nor think that it does not exist.

The labels good and bad apply only to things under your control.

Everything in nature moves away from whatever is harmful and moves towards whatever is helpful.

Piety does not exist apart from self-interest.

Since the future is not under our control it is nothing to us.

If the conversation turns to philosophical principles, keep silent for the most part. Do not be in a hurry to show off what you think you know even before you have digested fully what you learned.

You do not care if others think you are naïve or stupid.