Epictetus, On Freedom ("Enchiridion," chapter 19)

Recorded in December 2021. Epictetus flourished from the mid-first century to the early-second century A. D. The translation, by Elizabeth Carter, was published in 1758.

The philosopher here sets forth the Stoic doctrine, that freedom and happiness arise from our holding in contempt what lies outside of our control. It is (in my opinion) an excellent principle in a general, though not in an absolute sense—the characteristic fault of Stoicism being to carry truths into a false extreme. The principle seems especially cold and inhuman when applied universally, as (e.g.) to loved ones; and in that case (to borrow a metaphor from Swift) it is like "cutting off our feet, when we want shoes"; but when applied to honour, power, or fame, (as in this maxim,) it is far more unquestionably true.