“You should drop your desire; do not covet many things, and you will get what you want.”
Epictetus, Discourses, Book 3, Chapter 9.22
We are often told that desires are what push us forward, our ambition, our dreams, our goals. And that these will bring us happiness. But Epictetus flips the script. He suggests that we should drop our desires for externals, but focus on trying to do the right thing, the virtuous thing. The societal desires drag us away from peace, the Stoic ones bring us closer to it.
This Epictetus quote on desire isn’t about abandoning all goals. It’s about knowing which are the right ones. External desires become an ever-moving goal post when we always chase more. And the more we chase, the more we suffer. In that endless cycle, we will forget to cherish and be grateful for everything we have right now.
Stoicism on Wanting Less
For Epictetus, the problem isn’t desire itself, it’s misdirected desire. When we crave things outside our control (like praise, possessions, or outcomes), we become slaves to those who can give that to us. But when we focus on what we can control, our actions, our values, our mindset, we gain freedom from any source that wishes to become our master.
Reflecting on this Epictetus quote on desire, ask yourself: What would your life look like if you only wanted what depended on you?
3 Practices to Reduce Desire and Gain Peace
- Inventory your wants. What are you chasing right now? Are those desires creating freedom or friction?
- Reclaim your energy. Every unnecessary desire splits your attention. Choose one or two pursuits that truly matter.
- Train sufficiency. At the end of the day, remind yourself: “I have enough for now. I am enough for now.”
🔗 Want to explore more Stoic strategies? Book a free consultation with one of our Stoic Coaches or read more on the Epictetus Quotes page. You can also listen to the Via Stoica podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or watch it on YouTube.
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