A Dialogue with Epictetus

Characters:

Epictetus — Greek Stoic philosopher

Pupil — A young seeker of wisdom

Setting:

97 CE. A courtyard in the city of Nicopolis, Greece. Stone walls surround the two men as they stroll together. The sun sets on the worn tiles of their path.

A Dialogue with Epictetus

Pupil: What are the things in my control?

Epictetus: You are responsible for your judgment, impulses, desires, and aversions. To the degree that you have control over them, you are naturally unburdened and free.

Pupil: What’s not in my control?

Epictetus: Your body, material possessions, reputation, and status. None of these things are in your control.

Pupil: How can I discern what is in my control from what is not?

Epictetus: You must apply your reason.

Pupil: What can reason do for me?

Epictetus: You use your reason to establish what is true while disregarding what is false. In doubtful cases, it is wise to suspend your judgment.

Pupil: What if I don’t put that much value on my reason?

Epictetus: You are still using your reason to argue against reason.