What is bad luck? Opinion. What are conflict, dispute, blame, accusation, irreverence, and frivolity? They are all opinions, and more than that, they are opinions that lie outside of our own reasoned choice, presented as if they were good or evil. Let a person shift their opinions only to what belongs in the field of their own choice, and I guarantee that person will have peace of mind, whatever is happening around them. -EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.3.18b–19
The concept of bad luck is often rooted in subjective opinions. Variations of conflict, dispute, blame, accusation, irreverence, and frivolity are all subjective judgments that can dominate our thinking. These opinions tend to be presented as absolute truths, where they categorize experiences as either good or evil without proper reasoning. This categorization can cloud one's peace of mind.
Epictetus suggests that by focusing solely on opinions that fall within our own rational choices, we can achieve a sense of tranquility. By doing so, regardless of external circumstances, a person can maintain inner peace. This perspective encourages individuals to direct their thoughts towards what they can control, thereby reducing unnecessary stress and anxiety caused by external opinions and judgments.
