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THE COST OF ACCEPTING COUNTERFEITS

“When it comes to money, where we feel our clear interest, we have an entire art where the tester uses many means to discover the worth . . . just as we give great attention to judging things that might steer us badly. But when it comes to our own ruling principle, we yawn and doze off, accepting any appearance that flashes by without counting the cost.”

- EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES

Summary:
Epictetus highlights how people are meticulous when judging material value, such as money, but often careless when assessing their own thoughts and beliefs. While we scrutinise financial transactions to avoid being deceived, we readily accept misleading ideas and assumptions without questioning their truth or consequences.

Interpretation:
In everyday life, this means being as discerning with our beliefs as we are with our finances. Just as we wouldn’t accept counterfeit money, we shouldn’t accept falsehoods, harmful opinions, or impulsive judgments without careful examination. For example, we may quickly believe negative self-talk or misleading news without verifying the facts. This quote urges us to apply the same critical thinking to our minds as we do to our wallets, ensuring we invest in truth and wisdom.

 

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