# XI: Certain Miscellaneous Matters explained — Discourses

> Chapter companion for Discourses by Epictetus.

## What happens

This chapter discusses the fixed penalties for those who disobey divine administration, emphasizing that only things dependent on the will are good or evil. It uses the poet's words about the stranger to illustrate proper conduct toward a father and brother, noting that all are from Zeus, who oversees all relations.

## Themes in this chapter

### Providence and Acceptance

The chapter underscores the fixed penalties for disobeying divine order, urging acceptance of what is beyond one's control.

### Desire and Aversion

It warns against misplacing desire and aversion on external goods, leading to envy, grief, and unhappiness.

## Character check-ins

### Zeus

Invoked as the paternal and kindred overseer, from whom all relationships derive.

## Key lines

> Whoever thinks any other thing to be good except those things which depend on the will, let him envy, let him desire, let him flatter, let him be perturbed; whoever considers anything else to be evil, let him grieve, let him lament, let him weep, let him be unhappy.

If you consider anything outside your own will as good, you will be plagued by envy, desire, flattery, and anxiety; if you consider anything outside your will as evil, you will be consumed by grief, lamentation, and misery.

_This illustrates the Stoic principle that only what is within our control is truly good or evil._

> Stranger, I must not, e’en if a worse man come.

Even if a stranger of lower character arrives, I must still treat him with respect.

_This quote is used to extend the same principle to family relations, emphasizing universal respect from Zeus._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xi-certain-miscellaneous-matters
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters