# To Those Who Fear Want explained — Discourses

> Chapter companion for Discourses by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus rebukes those who fear poverty and want, arguing that such fear stems from misplaced values and a failure to internalize philosophical principles. He contrasts the cowardice of the philosopher who fears hunger with the resourcefulness of fugitive slaves and the steadfastness of heroes like Hercules and Ulysses. True freedom lies in relying on one's own will and accepting death as a natural end, not in clinging to wealth or comfort.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom and Slavery

Epictetus argues that true freedom comes from mastering one's own will, while fear of want enslaves the mind.

### Desire and Aversion

The chapter critiques misplaced desires for comfort and aversions to poverty, urging alignment with nature.

### Providence and Acceptance

Epictetus frames death as a natural signal from God, to be accepted with gratitude and obedience.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

Delivers a diatribe against those who fear want, urging them to embrace Stoic self-reliance.

### Socrates

Cited as an example of a genuine philosopher who lived with a wife and children despite poverty.

### Diogenes

Mentioned as a model of simple living and philosophical integrity.

### Cleanthes

Referenced as a philosopher who attended school and drew water, embodying humble self-sufficiency.

### Hercules

Used as an exemplar of obedience to divine will and labor despite lacking material abundance.

### Ulysses

Cited for his resilience after shipwreck, relying on inner strength rather than external goods.

## Key lines

> Are you not ashamed at being more cowardly and more mean than fugitive slaves? How do they when they run away leave their masters? on what estates do they depend, and what domestics do they rely on? Do they not after stealing a little which is enough for the first days, then afterwards move on through land or through sea, contriving one method after another for maintaining their lives? And what fugitive slave ever died of hunger?

You should be ashamed to be more cowardly than runaway slaves, who survive by their wits and never starve.

_Epictetus uses the resourcefulness of fugitive slaves to shame his audience into self-reliance._

> Does any good man fear that he shall fail to have food? To the blind it does not fail, to the lame it does not: shall it fail to a good man?

No good person need fear starvation, since even the blind and lame are provided for.

_Epictetus argues that providence ensures basic needs for all, especially the virtuous._

> What then when he does not supply him with food? What else does he do than like a good general he has given me the signal to retreat? I obey, I follow, assenting to the words of the commander, praising his acts.

If God withholds food, it is a signal to retreat from life, which I accept with praise.

_Death is reframed as a natural and honorable withdrawal, not an evil._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxvi-to-those-who-fear-want
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters