Simple Stoic Advice
Control
Control
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 and his Enchiridion, entry I:
Quote
“There are things which are within our power, and there are things which are beyond our power. Within our power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion, and, in one word, whatever affairs are our own. Beyond our power are body, property, reputation, office, and, in one word, whatever are not properly our own affairs.”
Advice
There are things within our control and things which are not. This is a staple of Epictetus’s teachings and a key tenet of Stoicism. Your actions are within your control. Anything outside your actions are not. Therefore, work on what you have control over and do not fret about the things which you cannot control. They will come as they must. You have control of how you react to these as they are your own actions.
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