Previous Stoicism

PROTECTING OUR INNER FORTRESS FROM FEAR

“No, it is events that give rise to fear-when another has power over them or can prevent them, that person becomes able to inspire fear. How is the fortress destroyed? Not by iron or fire, but by judgments… here is where we must begin, and it is from this front that we must seize the fortress and throw out the tyrants.”

- EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES

Summary
Epictetus teaches that fear is not caused by external events themselves, but by our judgments and perceptions of those events. When we believe that others have power over us, we allow them to instill fear in us. To protect our inner fortress, we must start by controlling our own judgments, rather than letting external circumstances dictate our emotions. By mastering our perceptions, we can defend ourselves against fear and maintain inner peace.

Interpretation
In real life, this means recognizing that our fear often comes from how we interpret situations rather than the situations themselves. For someone familiar with Stoic teachings, this reinforces the importance of focusing on what is within our control—our thoughts and reactions. By taking responsibility for our judgments and refusing to give others the power to manipulate our emotions, we can fortify our inner selves and live without fear, regardless of external events.

visit our website
Instagram Tiktok

All Stoicisms

DOING THE RIGHT THING IS ENOUGH

Marcus Aurelius reminds us that doing good should be its own reward. Once your action has helped someone, there’s no need....

A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS

Epictetus cautions that powerful abilities—whether intellectual, emotional, or social—can be risky when used without wisdom. Like any force, they must be....

A LEADER LEADS

Marcus Aurelius describes three kinds of people who do good: one who expects gratitude, one who silently keeps score, and the....
Scroll to Top