Summary

Epictetus explains that events in themselves are neutral; it’s only our interpretation that assigns a value of “good” or “bad” to them. The fact that someone is sent to prison is simply a reality, but deciding that this is inherently “evil” or “suffering” is a judgment we add on our own. This highlights the Stoic belief that we have the power to choose our responses and interpretations, rather than being controlled by external events.

Interpretation

In real life, this teaching encourages us to take ownership of our reactions to challenges. For instance, if we face an obstacle—such as a job loss, a breakup, or another hardship—we don’t have to see it as purely negative. By reframing our view, we can seek out personal growth, resilience, or new opportunities. Epictetus reminds us that while we may not control what happens to us, we can choose our response, seeing each situation not as a “suffering” but as a moment to shape our character and values.