My interest in Stoicism began when I was in high school. Epictetus, the Stoic we are going to look at, was mentioned in one of my favorite books, Franny and Zooey, by J.D. Salinger. I tried reading some philosophy books, but got swept up in other interests. After I retired, I decided to give it another try. Stoicism, which I knew nothing about, was becoming more well known so I started there. I was glad to find that my studies in an online course began with Epictetus.
Part of what makes Stoicism fascinating to study is that three of its most well-known practitioners were from widely different backgrounds. Epictetus was born a slave. Marcus Aurelius was the emperor of the Roman Empire. Seneca was an adviser to an emperor, renowned playwright, and one of the richest people in the Roman Empire. For me, that’s what makes Stoicism so powerful. It provides timeless principles to help us in both good and bad times. These are also the first Stoics who had their ideas in writing.
Epictetus
We are beginning with Epictetus, who lived from 50 to 135 and was born a slave. When he was freed, he lived and taught in Rome teaching philosophy until all who did this were banned. He then spent the rest of his life in Greece. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses and Enchiridion. Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline.
The opening paragraph of The Enchiridion states that “Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in a word, whatever are not our own actions.” I have found this helpful in my own life when dealing with worry—all external events are beyond our control so we should accept them calmly and dispassionately. He focused on ethics that included living by reason, rather than emotions. Epictetus sought to transform emotions within a philosophy that enables a person to develop clear judgment and inner calm. Logic, reflection, and concentration were the methods of the required self-discipline to become a Stoic. He taught that individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline.
This is a slow process, but leads to a more fulfilling and peaceful life. As I progress, I have found that this works for me. It also worked for James Stockdale, a fighter pilot who was shot down while serving in the Vietnam War. He was introduced to the works of Epictetus while at Stanford University. In his book “Courage under Fire: Testing Epictetus’s Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (1993),” Stockdale credits Epictetus with helping him endure his seven-and-a-half years in captivity, which included torture and four years in solitary confinement. When he was shot down, he reportedly said to himself “I’m leaving the world of technology and entering the world of Epictetus!” Psychologist Albert Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, credited Epictetus with providing a foundation for his system of psychotherapy.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” This is a modern version called the Serenity Prayer and it began with 12-step programs and now is in regular use in many self-help groups.
These are some of my favorite quotes from Epictetus, and they still resonate today. How many of them sound familiar to you?
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
“Only the educated are free.”
“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.”
“People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them. It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
“Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself.”
“We are not privy to the stories behind people’s actions, so we should be patient with others and suspend judgement of them, recognizing the limits of our understanding.”
“Deliberate much before saying or doing anything, for you will not have the power of recalling what is said or done.”
If you are interested in learning more:
- There is much information on YouTube about Stoicism and Epictetus. Just type in Stoicism and pick anything that interests you.
- You can also find The Enchiridion in bookstores, as well as Amazon. A free version is on Project Gutenberg here.
- I especially recommend Stephen Brown’s lectures—I have been learning from him for over a year now. Watching them has created a life changing experience for me. He just recorded this summary of his own practice and how it has helped him.
Article by Sue Anderson
Photo credit: Simon Rae
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