# CLVIII explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

A concise instruction on achieving emotional tranquility by mentally reframing future events as if they have already occurred, thereby practicing acceptance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Acceptance of Nature and Fate

The core technique involves accepting future events as unchangeable facts, aligning one's mindset with fate.

### Inner Freedom and Slavery

The advice aims to free the mind from sorrow (a passion) by changing its judgment about anticipated events.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The author of the aphorism, advising on a mental technique for equanimity.

## Key lines

> If you wish to live a life free from sorrow, think of what is going to happen as if it had already happened.

To avoid distress, mentally treat future events as past and therefore unchangeable.

_A practical exercise in premeditatio malorum (premeditation of evils) to cultivate acceptance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/clviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters