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WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOUR CHOICE IS

“A podium and a prison is each a place, one high and the other low, but in either place your freedom of choice can be maintained if you so wish.”

- EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES

Summary

Epictetus highlights that external circumstances, whether favourable or unfavourable, do not determine our inner freedom. Whether in a position of glory (like a podium) or hardship (like a prison), we always have the power to choose how we respond and maintain our inner autonomy.

Interpretation

For readers of The Daily Stoic, this passage serves as a powerful reminder that freedom lies not in external conditions but in our mindset and choices. In real life, this means that regardless of where we find ourselves—whether facing success, failure, or adversity—we retain control over our attitudes and actions. Practicing this principle empowers us to navigate life’s highs and lows with equanimity and resilience, focusing on our values and what we can control rather than being swayed by circumstances.

 

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