# LXXI explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

A pre-emptive meditation on maintaining one's gentle nature, advising self-reminder before acting in anger to avoid future regret and wrongdoing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

Provides a specific mental exercise (self-reminder of one's nature) to be applied in the heat of emotion to guide ethical action.

### Inner Freedom and Slavery

Warns against being enslaved by violent passion, framing a life 'without repentance and without blame' as the fruit of inner freedom.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The teacher delivering the direct, practical advice on self-control before action.

## Key lines

> When you are attacking (or going to attack) any person violently and with threats, remember to say to yourself first, that you are (by nature) mild (gentle);

Before you act out in anger or aggression, pause and consciously remind yourself that your fundamental character is gentle.

_Highlights the Stoic practice of using a premeditated phrase to interrupt a passionate impulse._

> and if you do nothing savage, you will continue to live without repentance and without blame.

By restraining yourself from brutal actions, you preserve a clear conscience and a life free from self-reproach or culpability.

_States the practical and moral benefit of heeding the initial self-reminder._

## Links

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