Like the philosophic dialogues of Socrates, we must look to the students of Epictetus for a written record of his thoughts. The former slave Epictetus became a leading teacher of Stoicism in the first and second centuries C.E. His student Arrian recorded his teachings in Discourses and from the Discourses Arrian compiled a handbook the Enchiridion. This brief book became a standard of philosophical guidance among Western thinkers through the centuries and has even seen a revival among readers of the novel A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe. The Wolfe novel also led some contemporary philosophers to a contemporary Stoicism resurgence. In a blog entry back in February I wrote about how William Irvine, a professor of philosophy at Wright State University, turned from the study of Zen to Stoicism by reading A Man in Full.
The Enchiridion is a kind of life guidance book that would fit nicely on a modern bookstore shelf of lifestyle books. It is not about philosophy in the sense of metaphysics or epistemology but is rather a toolbox on how to reach eudemonia or how to live the good life of reason and peaceful equanimity. It is a book of applied philosophy, how to make reason guide your life.
Epictetus advises us to know our limits, to always distinguish what we can control and what is beyond us. Strive to foster the good within our control and a placidly accept that which is beyond our powers.
“There are things within our power, and there are things beyond our power. Within our power are our opinion, aim, desire, dislikes, and, in summary, whatever is our own. Beyond our power is property, reputation, duties, and, in summary, whatever is not ours.” In another of the short passages, Epictetus says “If then, you decide to avoid the things you dislike which you can control, you will never suffer any grief from anything in your power to avoid; but if you try to avoid sickness, or death, or poverty, you will run the risk of being unhappy.”
Stoicism always reminds me of Buddhist thought, especially the Buddhist concern with the calm control of the mind which in turn controls our actions. Or Shakespeare’s “there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” This is what Epictetus says “Men aren’t disturbed by reality, but by the view which they take of it. Death is nothing terrible, otherwise it would have appeared to be to Socrates. But terror consists in our idea of death, the idea that death is terrible.”
Epictetus advises the strengthening of character, of taking life’s blows with endurance and equanimity. Several passages caution us to use our own inner strength to rise about what others think of us. Here is one: “Remember it’s not the person who gives abuse or blows, who insults, but the view we take of these things as insulting. When, therefore, anyone provokes you, be assured that it is your own opinion which provokes you.” And another “Don’t consider what he does, but what you should do to keep your own will in a state conformable to nature, because another cannot hurt you unless you let them. You will only be hurt when you allow yourself to be hurt.”
So look to your thoughts because your thoughts are what your are. “You must cultivate either your own reason or else what the external gives you. You must apply yourself either to think inside you or outside you—that is, either be a philosopher or one of the crowd.”
Don’t worry, be happy.
Two Strikes 