Now is the contest
A passage from Epictetus
I want to share a passage from Epictetus’ Enchiridion with you. Epictetus (c. 50 - c. 135 AD) is one of the most famous Greek Stoic philosophers. Most known for his conviction that philosophy was not a theoretical discipline, but a way of life. Philosophy means to follow reason, and reason leads Epictetus to claim that all external events that happen to us are beyond our control, and that we should calmly accept them, without letting them disturb our peace of mind. What is in our control, is how we react to these events. And it is here, in controlling our own minds so as to achieve peace and be a better person for ourselves and others, that we should put our energy. The uncompromising practice of this discipline, this is philosophy. Alongside other Stoics such as Marcus Aurelius or Seneca, Epictetus is very popular in our day. And because it is often wise to refrain from reading what is ‘popular’, many wise people don’t read Epictetus nearly as much as they should. A somewhat sad thing, for in a time as complex as ours, it is wise to return to the simple yet powerful teachings of Epictetus.
This text, the Enchiridion or Handbook of Epictetus, is a sort of manual of Stoic teachings compiled by Arrian of Nicomedia, a 2nd century follower of Epictetus. The Enchiridion is a short, practical, and intense expression of what we could call ‘philosophy as a way of life.’ For Epictetus, theory is always secondary to practice. And what characterizes the philosopher is precisely his intent to not merely find the truth, but to live according to the truth. To not merely use his reason, but to live according to reason. A philosopher is engaged in reasoning to find the truth. This —truth—, is the problem he is occupied with. But isn’t it so, that very often we know what is right, but that our real problem is that we aren’t living according to what is right? Why would it be any different in philosophy? Above all, the Enchiridion is a fierce document attempting to spur on the philosopher to not only spend his time reasoning about first principles, but to practice living in accordance with these principles. Because of this, the Enchiridion was composed as a short manual that aspiring philosophers could read over and over, until its teachings would engrain themselves into their minds, and its proposed style of living would become habit.
Without further ado, a fragment from the Enchiridion to reflect on:
“How long will you still wait to think yourself worthy of the best things, and in nothing to transgress against the distinctions set up by the reason? You have received the philosophical principles which you ought to accept, and you have accepted them. What sort of a teacher, then, do you still wait for, that you should put off reforming yourself until he arrives? You are no longer a lad, but already a full-grown man. If you are now neglectful and easy-going, and always making one delay after another, and fixing first one day and then another, after which you will pay attention to yourself, then without realizing it you will make no progress, but, living and dying, will continue to be a layman throughout. Make up your mind, therefore, before it is too late, that the fitting thing for you to do is to live as a mature man who is making progress, and let everything which seems to you to be best be for you a law that must not be transgressed. And if you meet anything that is laborious, or sweet, or held in high repute, or in no repute, remember that now is the contest, and here before you are the Olympic games, and that it is impossible to delay any longer, and that it depends on a single day and a single action, whether progress is lost or saved. This is the way Socrates became what he was, by paying attention to nothing but his reason in everything that he encountered. And even if you are not yet a Socrates, still you ought to live as one who wishes to be a Socrates.”
(Epictetus, Enchiridion, 51. Translated by W. A. Oldfather.)