Enchiridion Reflection

Epictetus was a stoic philosopher born in Hierapolis in 50 A.D. According to the publisher’s note, Epictetus grew up as a slave in Rome but was eventually set free. As a freed man, he attended stoic philosophy lectures; from there he went on to become a philosopher. Shortly with a few other philosophers, he was expelled from Rome by Emperor Domitian in 90 A.D. After being expelled, Epictetus went on to teach stoicism for the rest of his life in Nicopolis. It is said that Epictetus wrote no works for himself, but instead his student Arrian frantically wrote everything he would say word for word. The Enchiridion is one of the two formats of the philosopher’s teachings. It is explained to be more of a handbook or manual, for it is a shorter version …show more content…
One of them being the first (I) rule which talks about power. He tells about how some things are in our power and some are not. Some examples of what are in our power are opinions, desire and aversion; some things that are not in our power are the body, property, and reputation. It then explains that if one lets the things that are not in our power or the external factors affect our lives, we will blame others and the world for our unhappiness, and we will be hindered. On the other hand, if we recognize these outside factors that are not in our power we will not blame anyone, nor face any difficulties or suffer any harm. I was strongly interested in this passage, because I am one whom believes that not everything in our life is in our control. That one must let go of certain things and learn to not let external factors interfere with ones’ life. I feel that if I were to let all the things in my life that are not in my control affect how I live my life, I would be completely miserable and most likely have a hatred for the world and everyone in it. With that, I feel that it is our job to know which are in our control and what are not and once we master that we will have the opportunity to obtain happiness and freedom. With knowing what is in ones’ control and what is not, when faced with an external factor one can learn to say it does not concern them and can completely remove …show more content…
It says “When you have decided that a thing ought to be done and are doing it, never avoid being seen doing it, though the many shall form an unfavorable opinion about it. For if it is not right to do it, avoid doing the thing; but if it is right, why are you afraid of those who shall find fault wrongly?” I feel this one caught my interest because I can relate to it greatly. Today, in my perspective most people seem to value the opinions of others more than their own. I interpreted this passage to say that if you are doing something, do it with courage, do not be ashamed or shy to be seen doing it, because no matter what people will form an opinion regardless if what you are doing is right or wrong; if what you are doing is wrong, you will know and will not do so but if it is right why let the opinions of others get in the way of you doing something you know is right. As I stated before, I feel like I could relate to this passage but I also feel like others can as well because we live in a world where whatever you do in your lifetime someone will always have something to say whether they are in favor of it or against it. For some people those opinions can completely change a persons’ actions because they do not want to feel judged. Therefore, even though they are doing what they feel is right they will stop to please others and not themselves. I learned to stop valuing the opinions of others over my