Blog Posts

May 19, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses

Freedom from the Opinions of Others

1. There is no need to worry about what others say about you. 2. If others have things like money, office, and other things, it is because they worked for it.

May 15, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses

Freedom From Conflicts

1. A good person is not in conflict with anyone. If she can, she prevents others from getting into conflict. 2. When others make a mistake, remember things could be worse. 3. Different people judge things differently. This leads to conflict.

May 12, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses

Act on What You Learned

1. Any desire – be it for money or for peace – makes you a slave. 2. Read with a view to act on what you learn. 3. The more value you attach to external things, the less free you are to choose.

May 9, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses

Guard Your Freedom

When you lose an external thing, you get something in return. Think about what you get in return when you lose an external thing.