Core Teaching of Stoics

March 23, 2025

Of all existing things some are in our power, and others are not in our power. Within our power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion, and, in a word, everything which is our own doing. Things not in our power include the body, property, reputation, office, and, in a word, everything which is not our own doing.

What we can control naturally is not governed, restricted or constrained by others; what we can’t control is naturally governed, restricted and constrained by others. If you mistake what’s constrained for what’s free, and what others control for what you control, you won’t get your way, you’ll be unhappy.

But if you take for your own only that which is your own, and view what belongs to others just as it really is, then no one will ever compel you, no one will restrict you, you will find fault with no one, you will accuse no one, you will do nothing against your will; no one will hurt you, you will not have an enemy, nor will you suffer any harm.

Seek at once, therefore, to be able to say to every unpleasing impression, ‘You are but an impression, and not at all what you seem to be’. And then examine it by those rules which you have; and first and chiefly, by this: whether it concerns the things which are within our own power, or those which are not; and if it concerns anything beyond our power, be prepared to say that it is nothing to you.

~ Epictetus, The Enchiridion Chapter 1