# Chapter IV explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus advises a method of mental preparation for any action: first, to anticipate the typical disturbances and annoyances inherent in the situation (like a public bath), and second, to set a primary intention to keep one's will aligned with nature, making the external outcome secondary.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dichotomy of Control

Central to the exercise. One must distinguish between the external events at the bath (others splashing, stealing) which are not up to us, and the internal goal of maintaining a will conformable to nature, which is up to us.

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

Provides a concrete, repeatable technique ('remind yourself...') for applying philosophy in daily life to avoid perturbation, turning intention into disciplined practice.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The narrator and teacher, providing the core instruction on preparatory reflection and the primacy of maintaining a will in agreement with nature.

## Key lines

> When you are going to take in hand any act, remind yourself what kind of an act it is.

Before starting any activity, consciously recall the typical nature of that situation.

_Establishes the first step of the method: anticipatory reflection._

> I now intend to bathe, and to maintain my will in a manner conformable to nature.

My primary goal is not just to bathe, but to keep my volition in harmony with nature throughout the process.

_Defines the proper, philosophically-informed primary intention for any action._

> thus if any hindrance to bathing shall happen, let this thought be ready: it was not this only that I intended, but I intended also to maintain my will...

If something prevents the bath, remember your deeper intention was to keep your will aligned; this remains achievable even if the bath is not.

_Shows how the method provides resilience by making external success secondary to internal virtue._

## Links

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