50–135 CE · Stoicism
Epictetus on what you can control
Epictetus opens his handbook with the distinction everything else follows from: some things are within our power and some are not. Ours are our judgements, choices and efforts; all the rest is borrowed, and freedom is knowing the difference.
Some things are within our power, while others are not.
Epictetus — Enchiridion, 1
Try this
- Sort every situation into 'mine' and 'not mine'.
- Pour your effort into the first and release the second.
Questions
What did Epictetus say about what you can control?
Epictetus opens his handbook with the distinction everything else follows from: some things are within our power and some are not. Ours are our judgements, choices and efforts; all the rest is borrowed, and freedom is knowing the difference.
Where did Epictetus write about what you can control?
In Enchiridion, 1.
Ask Epictetus about your what you can control
Put your own situation to Epictetus and hear the answer in their own words.
Talk to Epictetus