The Enchiridion is a practical philosophical aid teaching the reader the best way to live. Philosophy, Epictetus taught, is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. One is urged to revel in in the habits of control, humility, and different nuances of wisdom. To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control; we should accept whatever happens calmly and objectively. However, individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. The Enchiridion centers mainly on ethics and ideals, how man ought to live, how he ought to act and react in every circumstance he finds himself, how he ought to perceive the goings-on around him and …show more content…
To be happy is to be free. Epictetus gives us his differentiation between things that don 't rely upon us (i.e. our body, distinction, power, etc.) and things that rely upon us (i.e. our thoughts, goals, dislikes, etc.) in the first part of the Enchiridion. To be free is to focus on the things that rely on us and don 't give importance to those that don 't rely on us. What essentially relies upon us are not the events of our lives or outside things, yet the judgments that concentrate on these. For instance, as humans, we cannot live forever; however, we can choose what importance we provide for death. We can view it as something frightening, and we will, tormented by this thought, ruin our entire life, yet we can additionally see it as the typical end of a regular cycle, or a rest that eases the suffering, and accordingly provide a positive value for death. A large portion of our judgments are negative and express nervousness, anger or rejection. By tackling those judgments with reflection and change, we achieve bliss.
Acceptance is comparable to humility, modesty, and moderation in which the Enchiridion is largely about for the most part. The Enchiridion’s attributes are evident, yet additionally maintains its’ brilliance. For example, when confronted with discovering that others are speaking ill of you, the guidance of the book suggests not to stress over it, but rather what others say in regards to you is essentially not your