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A Study Path through Epictetus
This study path guides you through key concepts from Epictetus, focusing on the distinction between what is within our power and what is not. By examining choice, impressions, desire, and our roles, you can begin to understand the path to freedom and tranquility. This resource filters its AI guide to cited source passages and is not impersonating the historical author.
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.
Understanding What Is In Our Power
Epictetus begins by distinguishing between things that are within our power and those that are not. Our opinions, movements towards a thing, desires, and aversions are considered to be within our control, as they are our own acts.
Conversely, things like our body, property, reputation, and offices are not within our power. These external factors are not our own acts and are therefore subject to external forces and circumstances.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
The Nature of Free and Unfree Things
Things within our power are inherently free, not subject to restraint or hindrance. They are our own acts and decisions, which no external force can truly dictate or remove from us.
In contrast, things not in our power are described as weak, slavish, and subject to restraint. They are dependent on others and external circumstances, making them unreliable foundations for our well-being.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
The Consequences of Misunderstanding Power
If one mistakenly believes that things which are by nature slavish are free, or that things in the power of others are their own, they will inevitably face distress. This misunderstanding leads to being hindered, lamenting, and being disturbed.
Such a misjudgment also results in blaming others or circumstances for one's unhappiness. Recognizing the true scope of our power is essential to avoid these negative emotional states and maintain inner peace.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
Desire and Aversion: Their Role in Happiness
Desire inherently carries the hope of obtaining what is desired, while aversion implies the hope of avoiding what one wishes to shun. Failing in desire leads to misfortune, and encountering what one seeks to avoid leads to unhappiness.
To achieve happiness, one should only attempt to avoid things contrary to nature that are within one's power. Avoiding external things like disease or death, which are not in our power, will only lead to unhappiness.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 2
Redirecting Aversion and Eliminating Desire
Epictetus advises removing aversion from all things not in our power and transferring it to things contrary to nature that are within our power. This means focusing our avoidance on our own faulty judgments and actions.
For the present, it is suggested to completely destroy desire. This radical approach aims to prevent the distress that comes from desiring things that are not guaranteed or are outside of our control.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 2
The Path to Freedom and Tranquility
By understanding and applying the distinction between what is in our power and what is not, we can cultivate a mindset that leads to freedom. This involves focusing our efforts and concerns solely on our own acts and judgments.
This practice helps to prevent being hindered, disturbed, or blaming others. It is a fundamental step towards achieving a state of inner tranquility and resilience, regardless of external circumstances.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1; Epictetus, Enchiridion 2
Practice sequence
Follow these exercises in order. Open any practice to preview its purpose and primary-source anchor before beginning.
- 1The Dichotomy of Control
Sort what is yours from what no choice can command.
- 2Catch the Urge
Catch an urge early, wait, and choose a substitute.
- 3Values Clarification
Compare what you desire with the qualities you admire.
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…”
“Remember that desire contains in it the profession (hope) of obtaining that which you desire; and the profession (hope) in aversion (turning from a thing) is that you will not fall into that which you attempt to avoid: and he who fails in his desire is unfortunate; and he who falls into that which he would avoid, is unhappy.”
Frequently asked questions
What does Epictetus mean by 'things in our power'?
Epictetus refers to our opinions, movements towards things, desires, and aversions as being in our power. These are our own acts, which are inherently free and not subject to external restraint or hindrance. They are internal and volitional.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
What are examples of 'things not in our power'?
Things not in our power include our body, property, reputation, and social offices. These are external to us, not our own acts, and are therefore weak, slavish, and subject to the control of others or external circumstances. We cannot fully control them.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
How does desire relate to happiness according to Epictetus?
Desire carries the hope of obtaining something, and if that hope is not met, one becomes unfortunate. To avoid unhappiness, Epictetus suggests removing desire for things not in our power and redirecting aversion only to things contrary to nature that are within our power.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 2
Why is it important to distinguish between what is in our power and what is not?
Making this distinction is crucial because mistaking external, uncontrollable things for our own will lead to being hindered, lamenting, and being disturbed. Understanding this helps us focus on what we can control, leading to greater tranquility and freedom.
Sources: Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
Continue with Ask Stoics
Bring one of these source-grounded questions into the app:
- How can I practice distinguishing between what is in my power and what is not in my daily life?
- What are some specific 'things contrary to nature which are in our power' that I should focus my aversion on?
- How does the complete destruction of desire, as Epictetus suggests, practically apply to modern life?
- Can you give me an example of how misidentifying what is in my power leads to blame and disturbance?