Born a slave around 55 AD, Epictetus acquired a passion for philosophy early in life, and with the permission of his wealthy owner studied Stoic philosophy; later becoming a Greek sage and revered Stoic philosopher.

Epictetus, who lived a life of deep simplicity and few material possessions, taught that philosophy is a practical way of life, and not merely a theoretical discipline.

To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate — that is to say, everything that happens — to us or for us — is essentially beyond our control. As such, we should accept whatever happens to us calmly AND then choose how we actively respond; that “good” and “bad” do not hinge upon the content of a particular happenstance, but rather that they are both crafted by us and our chosen reactions thereto.

Epictetus also believed in an active conquest of Good over “evil”; that evil is everything selfish or hurtful or irrational, and that Goodness is the innate harmony of reasoned kindness that erases such discord.

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do … If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother … It is not he who reviles or strikes you who insults you, but your opinion that these things are insulting … To accuse others for one’s own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one’s education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one’s education is complete.” ~ Epictetus

 

Filed under: In LOVE with Humanity by Scaughdt