Epictetus is reminding you that serenity and stability are results of your choices and judgment, not your environment. If you seek to avoid all disruptions to tranquility-other people, external events, stress-you will never be successful. Your problems will follow you wherever you run and hide. But if you seek to avoid the harmful and disruptive judgments that cause those problems, then you will be stable and steady wherever you happen to be.
Epictetus emphasizes that true peace and stability come from our own choices and perceptions rather than from the circumstances surrounding us. Attempting to flee from situations or people that disturb our tranquility is futile, as problems will always find us regardless of our attempts to escape. Instead of running away, it is essential to address the internal judgments that create disturbances. By managing our responses and perceptions, we can maintain steadiness in any situation.
In essence, the key to a serene life lies not in controlling the external world but in refining our internal judgments. This stoic approach encourages us to cultivate a mindset that allows us to remain unaffected by external chaos. By focusing on our internal state and recognizing that we hold the power to choose our reactions, we pave the way for a more stable and peaceful existence, regardless of the challenges we face.
