Epictetus: Enchiridion Epictetus Defends an Austere Conception of the Good Life as Life

Epictetus: Enchiridion
Epictetus defends an austere conception of the good life as one of restraint, resignation, and lack of attachment. He motivates this conception of the good life by noting that some things are under our control while others are not. For example, our thoughts, our responses to the situations in which we find ourselves, and our decisions about how to behave are in our power. But the conditions into which we are born, the circumstances in which we find ourselves, and the actions of others are not in our power. Epictetus claims that the wise person concerns himself only with the former, refusing to become attached to material things or those closest to him. If we concern ourselves with things outside of our control, we are bound to be disappointed. On the other hand, if we concern ourselves only with our own thoughts and decisions, then as Socrates said, others might "have the power to put me to death, but not to harm me."
Underlying this view is Epictetus's claim that "there is nothing intrinsically evil in the world." In saying this, Epictetus suggests that valuing is ultimately a subjective activity. As an example, Epictetus considers the death of a loved one. What distresses us in such a case is not the event itself, for the event does not distress others in the same way. Rather, what distresses us is our judgments of events. Judgments, however, are in our control. By choosing to accept things that are outside of our power, we can spare ourselves unnecessary suffering.
Ultimately, Epictetus endorses a simple life devoid of attachments, avoiding bodily pleasures and strong emotions. We should accept the roles in which we find ourselves, for they are given by the gods and are outside of our control. It is not by trying to shape the world to our wills, but rather by refusing to desire things beyond the power of our wills, that we find true freedom.
-In Epictetus's view, if something is not in our power we should treat it as if it is nothing.