Editing Enchiridion of Epictetus (section)

==Themes==
The ''Enchiridion'' begins with the statement, "Of things, some depend upon ourselves, others do not depend upon ourselves."<ref name="rolypoly_xvii">{{Harvnb|Rolleston|1881|p=xvii}}</ref> So it starts with announcing that the business and concern of the real self is with matters subject to its own control, uninfluenced by external chance or change.<ref name="rolypoly_xviii">{{Harvnb|Rolleston|1881|p=xviii}}</ref> Epictetus makes a sharp distinction between our own internal world of mental benefits and harms and the external world beyond our control.<ref name="aalong_xxxvi">{{Harvnb|Long|2018|p=xxxvi}}</ref> Freedom is to wish for nothing which is not up to ourselves.<ref>{{Harvnb|Long|2018|p=xlv}}</ref> When we are tried by misfortune, we should never let our suffering overwhelm our sense of inward mastery and freedom.<ref name="rolypoly_xviii"/>

A constant vigilance is required, and one should never relax attention to one's reason, for it is judgements, not things, which disturb people.<ref name="along93">{{Harvnb|Long|2003|p=93}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|What upsets people is not things themselves but their judgments about the things.  For example, "death is nothing dreadful (or else it would have appeared dreadful to [[Socrates]])&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;."|Chapter Five<ref name="handbook">''Handbook of Epictetus'', trans. Nicholas P. White, Hackett Publishing Company, 1983.</ref>}}

Reason is the decisive principle in everything.<ref name="aalong_xxxvi"/> Thus, we must exercise our power of assent over impressions and wish for nothing, nor avoid anything that is up to other people.<ref>{{Harvnb|Long|2018|p=xliv}}</ref>

To a large extent, the ''Enchiridion'' suppresses many of the more amiable aspects of Epictetus, which can be found in the ''Discourses'', but this reflects the nature of the compilation.<ref name="oldfart_xix">{{Harvnb|Oldfather|1925|p=xix}}</ref> Some believe that, unlike the ''Discourses'' which seeks to encourage the student through argument and logic, the ''Enchiridion'' largely consists of a set of rules to follow.<ref name="wrighty_333">{{Harvnb|Wright|2007|p=333}}</ref> Others challenge this view, arguing that the chapters of the ''Enchiridion'' can be interpreted as containing arguments and articulating concepts that develop progressively throughout the work.<ref name="aikinystephensy_ix">{{Harvnb|Aikin|Stephens|2023|p=ix}}</ref> The work is built on the conception that the wise person, by the aid of philosophy, may reap benefit from every experience in life.<ref>{{Harvnb|Rolleston|1881|pp=xxvi–xxvii}}</ref> With proper training the student can flourish in adverse situations as well as favorable ones.<ref name="aalong_xxxv">{{Harvnb|Long|2018|p=xxxv}}</ref> The human spirit has capacities as yet undeveloped, but which it is for our good to develop.<ref name="rolypoly_xx">{{Harvnb|Rolleston|1881|p=xx}}</ref> Thus, the book is a manual on how to make progress towards what is necessary and sufficient for happiness.<ref name="aalong_xxxv"/><ref>{{Harvnb|Long|2018|p=xxxvii}}</ref>

Epictetus makes vivid use of imagery, and analogies include life depicted as: a ship's voyage (Ch. 7), an inn (Ch. 11), a banquet (Chs. 15, 36), and acting in a play (Ch. 17, 37).<ref name="brittybrenny_7">{{Harvnb|Brittain|Brennan|2002|p=7}}</ref> He takes many examples from everyday life, including: a broken jug (Ch. 3), a trip to the baths (Chs. 4, 43), his own lameness (Ch. 9), the loss of a child (Ch. 11), and the price of lettuce (Ch. 25).<ref name="brittybrenny_7"/>