Epictetus · c. 50 – c. 135 CE
Discourses 2.5 ¶1 — Epictetus
From “How Magnanimity Is Consistent with Care”
Translation by George Long (1877)
Epictetus, Discourses 2.5 ¶1
Things themselves (materials) are indifferent; but the use of them is not indifferent. How then shall a man preserve firmness and tranquillity, and at the same time be careful and neither rash nor negligent? If he imitates those who play at dice. The counters are indifferent; the dice are indifferent. How do I know what the cast will be? But to use carefully and dexterously the cast of the dice, this is my business. Thus then in life also the chief business is this: distinguish and separate things, and say, “Externals are not in my power: will is in my power. Where shall I seek the good and the bad? Within, in the things which are my own.” But in what does not belong to you call nothing either good or bad, or profit or damage or anything of the kind.
Cite this passage
Epictetus, Discourses 2.5 ¶1, tr. George Long (1877)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/discourses/2.5.1
Epictetus, Discourses (as recorded by Arrian), tr. George Long (1877). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesLife is like a dice game: you do not control the throw, but you do control how skilfully and calmly you play it. Take care in how you use outside things, and separate what is in your power from what is not, locating good and bad only in your own choices.
Older wording
- “indifferent”
- — neither good nor bad in itself
- “counters”
- — game pieces
- “dexterously”
- — skilfully
Themes and situations
- What is in our control
- Peace of mind
- Judgements and impressions
- Acceptance and fate
- Self-discipline and habit
- Anxiety about the future
- Fear of failure
- A hard decision
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