Ask Stoics source guide · Stoic Questions
What Can I Actually Control?
Stoic philosophy offers a clear framework for understanding what lies within our control and what does not. This distinction is fundamental to achieving tranquility and effectiveness. By focusing our efforts on what is truly ours, we can navigate life's challenges with greater wisdom and resilience, avoiding frustration and distress.
On this page you will get a clear explanation, a way to examine the idea, exact evidence from public-domain Stoic texts, and links for continuing the study.
The Core Distinction
Stoicism teaches that some things are within our power, while others are not. This fundamental division guides where we should direct our attention and effort.
Things in our power are inherently free and unhindered, whereas things not in our power are weak, slavish, and subject to external forces.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
Our Own Acts
Our opinions, movements towards a thing, desires, and aversions are considered to be within our power. These are our own acts, directly influenced by our will.
This means that our internal responses and choices are the primary domain where we can exercise true control and freedom.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
Beyond Our Grasp
Conversely, our body, property, reputation, and social offices are not within our power. These are not our own acts and are subject to external circumstances.
Believing that these external things are within our control leads to disturbance, lament, and blame, as they are inherently beyond our direct influence.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
The Power of Judgment
The faculty of judgment is unique because it can contemplate itself, approving or disapproving of its own operations. This self-awareness is crucial.
While other arts like grammar or music can judge their specific domains, they cannot determine whether one should act or not; that decision rests with judgment.
Sources: Epictetus, Discourses 1.1
Desire and Aversion
Desire implies the hope of obtaining something, and aversion implies the hope of avoiding something. Failing in desire or falling into what one avoids leads to unhappiness.
To avoid unhappiness, one should only attempt to avoid things contrary to nature that are within one's power, rather than external events like disease or poverty.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 2
Focusing Aversion
Transfer aversion from things not in our power to things contrary to nature that are within our power. This reorients our emotional responses effectively.
By doing so, we avoid being involved in things we would rather avoid, as our aversion is directed towards our own internal choices and actions.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 2
What the primary texts say
These excerpts keep their work and exact locator so you can check the claim in context rather than accepting a detached quotation.
“Of things some are in our power, and others are not. In our power are opinion (ὑπόληψις), movement towards a thing (ὁρμή), desire, aversion (ἔκκλισις, turning from a thing); and in a word, whatever are our own acts: not in our power are the body, property, reputation, offices (magisterial power), and in a word, whatever are not our own acts.”
“Remember then that if you think the things which are by nature slavish to be free, and the things which are in the power of others to be your own, you will be hindered, you will lament, you will be disturbed, you will blame both…”
“Take away then aversion from all things which are not in our power, and transfer it to the things contrary to nature which are in our power. But destroy desire completely for the present.”
Frequently asked questions
What does 'in our power' truly mean?
It refers to our internal acts: our opinions, desires, aversions, and impulses. These are the only things that are truly free and not subject to external restraint or hindrance, according to Stoic philosophy.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
Why are things like my body or property not in my power?
These are external to our direct will and can be affected by circumstances beyond our control. They are considered 'slavish' because they are subject to restraint and the power of others, unlike our internal judgments.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
How does understanding this distinction help me?
By recognizing what is not in your power, you avoid being hindered, lamenting, or being disturbed. Focusing on what you can control—your judgments and reactions—leads to greater tranquility and effectiveness.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
Should I eliminate all desires?
For the present, it is advised to destroy desire completely. For aversion, transfer it from external things to only those things contrary to nature that are within your power, such as your own faulty judgments.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 2
Continue with Ask Stoics
Bring one of these source-grounded questions into the app:
- How can I practice distinguishing between what is and isn't in my control?
- What are some examples of 'things contrary to nature which are in our power'?
- How does controlling my desires and aversions lead to happiness?
- Can I influence external events at all, even if I can't control them?