# How We Should Struggle with Circumstances explained — Discourses

> Chapter companion for Discourses by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus uses the metaphor of a wrestling trainer to explain that difficulties are opportunities for growth, comparing the Stoic to an Olympic athlete. He contrasts the cowardly scout who fears death, exile, and poverty with Diogenes, who demonstrated through his life that these are not evils. The chapter urges the reader to recognize what is truly their own (their will and judgments) and to be ready to let go of externals, even the body, as one would leave a bed in an inn. The door is always open—one may choose to stay or leave, but if they stay, they must not complain.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dichotomy of Control

Epictetus emphasizes that only what is our own (our will, judgments) is under our control; externals like body, property, and reputation are not, and must be held loosely like a bed in an inn.

### Desire and Aversion

The chapter teaches that we should not fear death, exile, or poverty, but rather align our desires and aversions with what is within our power, as Diogenes did.

### Providence and Acceptance

Difficulties are presented as divinely appointed training matches; the Stoic should accept them as opportunities to become an 'Olympic conqueror' and not complain if they choose to stay.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The speaker of the discourse, using the analogy of a wrestling trainer and a scout to teach how to face difficulties.

### Diogenes

Presented as the ideal scout who reported that death, pain, and poverty are not evils, proving it by his own courage, tranquillity, and freedom.

### Domitian

Mentioned as the emperor who commands the laying aside of the laticlave, representing external threats that the Stoic must be ready to surrender.

## Key lines

> It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.

A person's true character is revealed by how they handle challenges.

_Opening maxim of the chapter, setting the theme of adversity as a test._

> remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a rough young man.

Think of God as a wrestling coach who pairs you with a tough opponent to make you stronger.

_Metaphor for divine providence in assigning difficulties for our growth._

> Diogenes, who was sent as a scout before you, made a different report to us. He says that death is no evil, for neither is it base.

Diogenes, acting as a scout, reported that death is not an evil because it is not shameful.

_Contrast between the cowardly scout and Diogenes' fearless assessment._

> the door is open; be not more timid than little children, but as they say when the thing does not please them, 'I will play no longer,' so do you, when things seem to you of such a kind, say I will no longer play, and be gone: but if you stay, do not complain.

The exit is always available; be like children who stop playing when they are displeased. If you choose to stay, do not grumble.

_Final exhortation: suicide is always an option, but if one remains, they must accept circumstances without complaint._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxiv-how-we-should-struggle-with-circumstances
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters