Previous Stoicism

IF YOU WANT TO BE UNSTEADY

“For if a person shifts their caution to their own reasoned choices and the acts of those choices, they will at the same time gain the will to avoid, but if they shift their caution away from their own reasoned choices to things not under their control, seeking to avoid what is controlled by others, they will then be agitated, fearful, and unstable.”

- EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES

Summary:

Epictetus explains that if we focus our attention and caution on our own choices and actions, we can maintain stability and control over our lives. However, if we shift our focus to things outside our control—such as the actions of others or uncontrollable circumstances—we will become anxious, fearful, and unstable, as we are giving power to external forces.

Interpretation:

For readers of The Daily Stoic, this quote underscores a key Stoic idea: true peace comes from controlling what is within our power—our thoughts, actions, and decisions. When we allow ourselves to be preoccupied with external events or the behaviour of others, we lose our sense of inner calm. To avoid instability, we must focus on making reasoned, thoughtful choices rather than worrying about things we cannot influence. This is the essence of Stoic resilience—maintaining control over our reactions and mindset, regardless of what happens around us.

 

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