In his work "The Art of Living," Epictetus explores the concept of personal responsibility and self-awareness. He observes that individuals who lack knowledge tend to blame external factors for their unfortunate circumstances. This reflects a lack of understanding of their own role in their lives.

As individuals begin to learn and grow, they may start to internalize responsibility, often taking the blame themselves for their situation. Ultimately, those who achieve true wisdom recognize that blame is not constructive; they do not blame themselves or others. Instead, they focus on understanding and improving their circumstances.