Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 1.1 ¶2 — Epictetus
From “Of the Things Which Are in Our Power, and Not in Our Power”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 1.1 ¶2
As then it was fit to be so, that which is best of all and supreme over all is the only thing which the gods have placed in our power, the right use of appearances; but all other things they have not placed in our power. Was it because they did not choose? I indeed think that, if they had been able, they would have put these other things also in our power, but they certainly could not. For as we exist on the earth, and are bound to such a body and to such companions, how was it possible for us not to be hindered as to these things by externals?
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 1.1 ¶2, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/1.1.2
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesThe only thing placed fully in our power is how we use our impressions, which is the best and highest thing we have. Everything else is not in our power because we live in a body among other people and are bound to be hindered by outside things.
Older wording
- “appearances”
- — how things seem to you; your impressions
- “externals”
- — things outside your own choices, such as body, wealth and reputation
Themes and situations
- What is in our control
- Judgements and impressions
- Acceptance and fate
- Anxiety about the future
Quote cards
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