Demanding the Best for Yourself: Wisdom from Epictetus

Introduction

Epictetus, a Greek Stoic philosopher, left behind a wealth of wisdom in his writings. His teachings revolve around the importance of reason, self-improvement, and taking responsibility for one's own actions. In this blog post, we will explore some of Epictetus' insightful quotes from his work, Discourses. These quotes serve as reminders to demand the best for ourselves, avoid laziness and procrastination, and strive for personal growth.

1. Embracing Reason

"How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself and in no instance bypass the discriminations of reason?"

Epictetus emphasizes the significance of embracing reason in our lives. We have been given the principles of reason, and it is our responsibility to endorse and apply them. Waiting for someone else to guide our self-improvement is unnecessary, for we are capable of taking charge of our own growth. By relying on reason, we can make better decisions and lead a more fulfilling life.

2. Taking Action

"If you are careless and lazy now and keep putting things off and always deferring the day after which you will attend to yourself, you will not notice that you are making no progress."

Epictetus warns against the dangers of laziness and procrastination. It is easy to fall into the trap of constantly delaying self-improvement, believing that there will always be a tomorrow to start. However, this mindset hinders our progress and keeps us stagnant. Instead, we must take action now and attend to ourselves without delay. By doing so, we can break free from the cycle of inaction and make tangible progress towards our goals.

3. Striving for Excellence

"What kind of teacher, then, are you still waiting for to refer your self-improvement to him? You are no longer a boy, but a full-grown man."

Epictetus challenges us to question the need for external guidance in our self-improvement journey. As adults, we possess the ability to take responsibility for our own growth. Waiting for the perfect mentor or teacher can become an excuse for not taking action. Instead, we should recognize our own capabilities and strive for excellence independently. By acknowledging our maturity, we can actively seek knowledge and embrace continuous self-improvement.

4. Breaking the Cycle

"If you keep putting things off and always deferring the day after which you will attend to yourself, you will live and die as someone quite ordinary."

Epictetus highlights the consequences of perpetual procrastination. By continuously postponing our self-improvement, we risk living an ordinary life without any significant growth. Breaking free from this cycle requires us to prioritize our personal development and take action in the present moment. Only then can we break free from mediocrity and strive for greatness.

Conclusion

Epictetus' quotes serve as powerful reminders to demand the best for ourselves, embrace reason, and take responsibility for our own growth. By avoiding laziness and procrastination, we can make progress towards our goals and live a more fulfilling life. It is essential to break free from the cycle of inaction and strive for excellence independently. Let us heed Epictetus' wisdom and embark on a journey of continuous self-improvement.