The idea of gratitude permeates Stoic literature. Nearly ten percent of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is devoted to thanking the people who shaped him. His gratitude goes back to his childhood and includes his family members, educators, friends, Antoninus, and the gods. Other classic writers incorporate the idea of gratitude in their writings. In this extract from his new book The Anatomy of Gratitude, Ron Pies describes some passges on gratitude from the writings of Epictetus. - Chuck Chakrapani, Editor

The Greek philosopher Epictetus was born into slavery, but rose to become one of the greatest of the Stoic philosophers. It is fortunate that his “owner” gave Epictetus permission to pursue liberal studies, and later, to be taught by his older contemporary, Musonius Rufus. Eventually, Epictetus obtained his freedom and taught philosophy in Italy and Greece. He is best known for his two main works, the Enchiridion (Handbook) and the Discourses.

James Stockdale, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for over 7 years, credits Epictetus with providing him a philosophical foundation for enduring the tortures to which he was subjected:

“As Stockdale would be confined in leg irons, he certainly remembered that Epictetus had a disabled leg, which was probably broken by his master although there is no certainty around this. However, Epictetus would say in regards to this, ‘Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to your ability to choose, unless that is your choice. Lameness is a hindrance to the leg, but not to your ability to choose. Say this to yourself with regard to everything that happens, then you will see such obstacles as hindrances to something else, but not to yourself.’”[https://dailystoic.com/epictetus/]

Epictetus uses the word eucharistos when referring to what we would call “gratitude.” The Greek term means something like, “grateful, pleasing; mindful of benefits, thankful,” according to New Testament scholar, William D. Mounce. [https://www. billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/eucharistos].

Epictetus’ views on gratitude are typified in these passages:

“It is easy to praise providence for everything that happens in the world, provided you have both the ability to see individual events in the context of the whole and [with] a sense of gratitude. Without these, either you will not see the usefulness of what happens, or even [supposing] you do see it, you will not be grateful for it.” - Discourses, 1.6

“He who is discontented with what he has, and with what has been granted to him by fortune, is one who is ignorant of the art of living; but he who bears that in a noble spirit, and makes reasonable use of all that comes from it, deserves to be regarded as a good man.” - Discourses, Fragments, Handbook [Enchiridion]

“Remember to conduct yourself in life as if at a banquet. As something being passed around comes to you, reach out your hand and take a moderate helping. Does it pass you by? Don’t stop it. It hasn’t yet come? Don’t burn in desire for it, but wait until it arrives in front of you. Act this way with children, a spouse, toward position, with wealth – one day it will make you worthy of a banquet with the gods.”- Enchiridion, 15

Comment: With regard to Epictetus’ “banquet” image, the scholar of Stoicism, Stephen Hanselman, notes that,

“The Stoics knew that wanting less correlates [with] increased gratitude, just as wanting more obliterates it. Psychologists call this hedonic adaptation. The Stoics sought to reduce this destructive habit of wanting more. In it they saw the key to a happy life and relationships.” [https:// dailystoic.com/gratitude/]

By the way, Epictetus’ banquet metaphor is quite in accord with the maxim from the Talmud: Who is rich? He who is satisfied with his lot…” (Pirke Avot 4.1)

Ron Pies MD, psychiatrist and educator, compares Stoic thought with Buddhism and Judaism (juBuSto), and finds parallels. He is the Author of Three Petalled Rose and many other books.

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