In Discourse 1.19, Epictetus shows us how to achieve Stoic freedom. Moreover, he gives us a clear outline of when someone gains control over us and how we can regain that control. He uses a tyrant and Epaphroditus, the man who owned him as a slave, as examples. But, the true impact of this discourse is found when he talks about the self and distancing that from being selfish.
We get to see some pure Stoic concepts in action. This is probably why Arrian thought this lesson to be important enough to pen down and record in his notes. What becomes clear from this chapter, is that we give away our power too fast and too often to those who have no claim to it. Especially in the age of capitalism and social media, where those with the most amount of money or followers, seem to own the truth.
“When a person possesses some superiority, or at least thinks he does when in fact he does not, if he be uneducated, he will necessarily be puffed up because of it.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.1
Enter the Tyrant
The title of this discourse is: How Should We Behave Towards Tyrants? Epictetus lets the tyrant enter the discussion by him claiming he is the mightiest of all. Epictetus follows that by asking what this tyrant can do for him. Can he give him desires that will always be fulfilled? Or never to encounter the things one wishes to avoid? There’s no way he can do that for anyone else since this tyrant can’t even do it for himself. But all men attend to him, is what the tyrant says.
¨Why do I not attend to my ass? Do I not wash his feet? Do I not clean him? Do you not know that everyone pays attends to himself, and to you, just as he does to an ass?”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.4-5
We give attention and time to the things that are of use to us. We make sure we maintain them well so that they can be favorable for us. The tyrant then replies that he could cut off our head, to which Epictetus asks if we should attend to him the same way we do to cholera or a fever.
Stoic Freedom
“What is by nature free, cannot be disturbed or hindered by anything but himself.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.7
“It is a man’s own judgments that disturb him.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.8
This is where we start to talk about Stoic Freedom. Epictetus brings this as close to home as possible. True freedom can only be achieved from within, He gives examples of the tyrant threatening to chain his leg. And if you value your leg, then this will be horrible. But if you only value your will and choice then what happens to your leg is indifferent. It’s neither good or bad. This reminds us that the body is external. The true good lies within our mind and soul.
“You are master of my carcase. Take it.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.10
Stoic freedom is based on the idea that no one can control your mind. Your reasoning faculty is yours, and it is up to you to form your opinions, judgments, and actions. If we do get affected by others or influenced, then it is we who allow this to happen. We always have a choice. If you feel stuck in a job or relationship, then there’s always a way out. But there are things like fear and doubts that keep us from making certain decisions. Or the attachment to externals or a lifestyle we have obtained.
Self-love isn’t selfish
“This isn’t mere self-love; for every animal is so constituted as to do everything for its own sake.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.11
“Even the sun does everything for its own sake and, for that matter, so does Zeus himself.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.11
While our instinct is self-preservation and doing what is good for us, Stoicism can teach us what the real good is. To be virtuous and live in accordance with nature, even if that means making decisions where our bodies are impacted in a negative way. Our mind and soul are more important. The body can perish, but the soul goes back into the logos.
If we live in such a way, to act in accordance with our nature, then this will contribute to the common good. In the same way, if the sun and Zeus do what they are supposed to do, then those around them will benefit. When we learn to become the best versions of ourselves, we will also be the best for the world around us. That’s why the primary focus should be on the self. And in the same way, this shows that doing so isn’t selfish, it is to the benefit of the community.
How do we lose Stoic freedom?
“When people hold absurd opinions about things that lie outside the sphere of choice, regarding them as good and evil, it is quite inevitable that they will pay court to tyrants.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.16
How we obtain Stoic freedom is also how we can lose it. When we give away our power of choice, or at least place our choice outside of ourselves. We attach value to things that we can’t control and label them as good and evil. Then we become slaves of those who we deem good or bad. Their views become the truth and we follow them blindly, giving up the virtuous life.
“Epaphroditus owned a slave, who was a shoemaker, and sold him because he was useless. Then, as chance would have it, this same man was bought by a member of Ceasar’s household and became shoemaker to Caesar. If only you could have seen how Epaphroditus honoured him.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.19
Epaphroditus also owned Epictetus, he was a freedman himself and was a well-established person in the court of Nero. From this example, we can see how quickly the opinion of his ‘useless’ shoemaker changed when he became Nero’s shoemaker. How often does this happen in our lives? Someone becomes rich, starts to work for someone we deem important, or gains a lot of followers. And now we have to treat them as if they are far above us. What has changed and how did they get to this position? Instead of judging the person, we judge her by her status.
“Who, then, has made a wise man of him all of a sudden? This is what it means to honour something other than what lies within the sphere of our choice.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.23
Praise removes the self
The need for praise and recognition is another one of those desires that take us away from the Stoic idea of freedom. To have our name chanted by others can lead us to comprise our character. Let’s take fame and status, which is a kind of praise. People do anything to be on TV or to gain followers. They will say things they don’t believe but know will get them likes. By doing so they hand over their will to the crowd. The problem with a crowd is, that it can be the worst tyrant there is. They want more and more and can drop you like a stone.
To close out the discourse, Epictetus shares a story of someone who wanted to obtain the Priesthood of August. He said that his name then had to be mentioned in all contracts. Would this person be there every time his name would be read? And what happens when he dies? His name would still be there. To which Epictetus replies:
“Write it upon a stone and it will remain just as well.”
Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 19.28
Guard your choice for Stoic Freedom
The true good life is found within, by knowing who you are and caring for yourself. We will give the Stoic freedom away when we lean into externals and give them the power over us. This happens when we value the wrong things, such as externals. But if we remember that we always have a choice, this power is given back to us. The tyrant can take our body, but our soul and mind will remain with us. Our work can be difficult and too demanding, but we can leave and find something better.
That’s when we need to apply the virtues and reason and logic to our decision-making. But if we are too bound to all the wants, desires, and aversion, then anyone can be our tyrant. Making sure that we live the good life ourselves isn’t selfish. When we become the best version of ourselves, the common good will benefit.
Stoic Coaching
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