Previous Stoicism

TRAIN TO LET GO OF WHAT’S NOT YOUR’S

“Whenever you experience the pangs of losing something, don’t treat it like a part of yourself but as a breakable glass, so when it falls you will remember that and won’t be troubled. So too, whenever you kiss your child, sibling, or friend, don’t layer on top of the experience all the things you might wish, but hold them back and stop them, just as those who ride behind triumphant generals remind them they are mortal. In the same way, remind yourself that your precious one isn’t one of your possessions, but something given for now, not forever …”

- EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES

Summary

Epictetus teaches the importance of detachment by reminding us that nothing we hold dear is truly ours forever. He likens cherished things to fragile items, emphasizing that we should accept their impermanence and value them for the time we have them. Whether it’s material possessions or loved ones, we should cherish them without attaching the illusion of permanence, as this mindset helps us remain untroubled when they are gone.

Interpretation

In daily life, this philosophy encourages us to appreciate what we have while acknowledging that loss is inevitable. For someone familiar with The Daily Stoic, this message serves as a reminder to resist over-attachment, especially to people and things we deeply care about. It’s not about being unfeeling, but about understanding that everything we have is borrowed from the universe. By training ourselves to let go, we can face life’s changes with greater resilience and peace.

 

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