Simple Stoic Advice
Commanding-Faculty
Commanding-Faculty
The beautiful thing about Stoic philosophy is the advice contained within it is just as applicable today as it was when it was first written all those many years ago. We can learn a great deal from interpreting the advice provided and using it to our advantage as we go throughout our own lives.
Today’s quote comes to us courtesy of Epictetus, from entry XXXVIII of the Enchiridion:
Quote
“You are careful in walking not to step on a nail or twist your ankle, and you should be just as careful to do no harm to your commanding-faculty.
Advice
The Stoics, and Epictetus in particular, speak of the need to protect our commanding-faculty or rational mind. Far too often, we allow others to penetrate our thoughts and actions. The Stoics viewed our ability to reason our most important quality. Epictetus’s statement is akin to the idea that you are the five friends you spend most of your time with.
We must work to protect our thoughts and use reason to make decisions. If we allow others to, they will try and push their own thoughts and agendas on us. Thus, just like you would protect your body from harm so too you must protect your mind.
As Marcus Aurelius stated:
“The mind of one set straight and purified: no pus, no dirt, no scabs.”
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