Discourses · Chapter
To Those Who Are Desirous of Passing Life in Tranquillity explained
Epictetus warns that even the desire for tranquillity, leisure, or learning can enslave us if we treat them as external goods.
What happens
Epictetus warns that even the desire for tranquillity, leisure, or learning can enslave us if we treat them as external goods. True tranquility comes from focusing only on what is within our power—our judgments and actions—and referring all reading, writing, and daily activities to the goal of maintaining a rational and virtuous character. He urges readers to rejoice in present circumstances, to use every situation (solitude or crowd) as an opportunity for practice, and to measure progress not by verses read but by how well one has applied philosophical principles to life.
Themes in this chapter
Dichotomy of Control
Central to the chapter: tranquility is lost when we desire external things (power, leisure, books) that are not in our power; only our own judgments and actions are truly our own.
Desire and Aversion
Epictetus emphasizes that desire and aversion should be directed only at what is within the will, avoiding failure in desire and falling into what we try to avoid.
Philosophy as Practical Discipline
Reading and writing are only valuable if they prepare us for virtuous action in daily life; the true measure of industry is how we apply principles to our actions.
Characters to notice
- Socrates
Cited as a model of happiness in adversity: he served in military expeditions and wrote paeans in prison, never lamenting lost leisure.
- Epictetus
The speaker throughout, delivering the discourse on how to achieve a tranquil life by focusing on what is within one's power.
- Zeus
Mentioned as the one who appointed the superintendents of external things; the gods are equally distant from all places and see all.
- Caesar
Used as an example of an external power that can impede one's tranquility if one values it.
Key passages
“Remember that not only the desire of power and of riches makes us mean and subject to others, but even the desire of tranquillity, and of leisure, and of travelling abroad, and of learning.”
It's not just wanting money or status that enslaves us—even wanting peace, free time, travel, or knowledge can make us dependent on others.
Epictetus broadens the concept of enslavement to include seemingly noble desires.
“If you maintain yourself free from perturbation, free from alarm, and steady; if you look rather at the things which are done and happen than are looked at yourself; if you do not envy those who are preferred before you; if surrounding circumstances do not strike you with fear or admiration, what do you want? Books?”
If you are calm, steady, and focused on events rather than on yourself, and you don't envy others or fear circumstances, why would you still crave books?
Epictetus challenges the notion that reading is always beneficial; it can become a distraction from living virtuously.
“If you have laid aside or have lessened bad disposition and a habit of reviling; if you have done so with rash temper, obscene words, hastiness, sluggishness; if you are not moved by what you formerly were, and not in the same way as you once were, you can celebrate a festival daily.”
If you have reduced your anger, harsh speech, impulsiveness, or laziness, and are no longer stirred by the same things as before, you have reason to celebrate every day.
Moral progress itself is a cause for daily thanksgiving, more significant than any external honor.