UGC 111 Chapter Reading: Enchiridion
Document Summary
Epictetus explains in enchiridion that opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions is within our own control. The things in our control are by nature free, unrestrained, and unhindered. However, body, property, reputation, command, and whatever are not our own actions are beyond our own control. Those not in our control, are weak, slavish, restrained, and belonging to others. Epictetus claims that if we assume that we are entitled to what is given to us by nature or consider what is not ours ours then we would be tormented within ourselves. Epictetus says that trying to obtain trivial things such as money will only blindside us to our true purpose.