If you should ever turn your will to things outside your control in order to impress someone, be sure that you have wrecked your whole purpose in life. Be content, then, to be a philosopher in all that you do, and if you wish also to be seen as one, show yourself first that you are and you will succeed. -EPICTETUS, ENCHIRIDION, 23
Epictetus warns against the danger of seeking validation from others through the manipulation of external circumstances. He emphasizes that when we prioritize impressing others over our true purpose, we compromise our own goals and aspirations. Instead, we should focus on being true to ourselves and cultivating wisdom in all aspects of our lives.
The key to success and authenticity lies in demonstrating our philosophical commitment to ourselves first. By embodying the values we wish to project, we can naturally inspire others without losing sight of our core objectives. Ryan Holiday's interpretation of this Stoic principle in "The Daily Stoic" encourages readers to cultivate inner strength rather than seek fleeting approval.
