In the fifth century in an effort to educate his son, Johannes Stobaeus compiled excerpts, stories, and quotes attributable to Epictetus. What is most amazing is that hundreds of years after his death, Epictetus was positively influencing a man and his son.
The separation of time, distance, cultures or languages cannot prevent timeless wisdom from passing from one generation to the next.
“According to Favorinus, Epictetus would say that there were two vices much blacker and more serious than the rest: lack of persistence and lack of self control.” – Epictetus, Fragments 10
Too often, we quit early. Too often, we give up at the first sign of struggle. It could be at work, at home, or at something only we know about.
How can we do better in a world of seemingly endless choices? Persist and resist.
“Two words, he says, should be committed to memory and obeyed by alternately exhorting and restraining ourselves, words that will ensure we lead a mainly blameless and untroubled life. These two words, he used to say, were ‘persist and resist.’” – Epictetus, Fragments 10
Knowing where you want to go is just as important as knowing where you have been. Reflection causes actions. Actions require reflection. Are we on the right course? Are we following the right path?
The path could be for you and your team at work. It could be for your family. It could be for yourself in your pursuit to be a better human.
“All of our efforts must be directed towards an end, or we will act in vain. If it is not the right end, we will fail utterly.” – Epictetus, Discourses, Book III
We all need to find our path. But most of the time, we are not alone on that path.
Consider the company that you keep. The consistency of your reflections and actions will reveal a lot about you. The company you keep will reveal even more about you.
As Epictetus titles Chapter 16 of Book III of his Discourses, That one should be careful about entering into social relations.
“It is inevitable if you enter into relations with people on a regular basis, either for conversation, dining, or simple friendship, that you will grow to be like them, unless you can get them to emulate you.” – Epictetus, Discourses, Book III
You are the average of the people you surround yourself with. If you don’t like who you are becoming, change can be as simple as adjusting the people in your life.
Even as a 14-year-old boy, George Washington understood the importance of keeping good company.
In his 56th Rule of Civility and Decent Behavior – in company and conversation, he states,
“Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” – George Washington
Epictetus thousands of miles away, and thousands of years before, understood the power of consistency and company.
“Place an extinguished piece of coal next to a live one, and either it will cause the other one to dis out, or the live one will make the other reignite.” – Epictetus, Discourses
In our overly connected world, we must be conscious of our consistency and our company. Who do we spend time with? Does this person light me up or put me down?
Consider. Beware. The people in your life are not just physically present. They show up in what you read and what you hear on a daily basis.
What do we consistently do? Are our actions pointed down the proper path?
“Since a lot is at stake, you should be careful about fraternizing with non-philosophers in these contexts; remember that if you consort with someone covered in dirt you can hardly avoid getting a little grimy yourself.” – Epictetus, Discourses
Today it is too easy to overreact. Many people lack self-control, they lack the persistence to push through challenges. Our modern world has made many people soft.
Plutarch recounted the problems of the people of Athens in his write-up of Cimon:
“they had lost all their military qualities and become unwarlike farmers and traders through their own folly and love of comfort.” Plutarch, Lives – Cimon
Love of comfort. Let that be a warning. Your mind does not get strong by being comfortable. Your mind gets strong when it is challenged, when you decide to persist and resist.
Your body does not get strong with a lack of persistence. Your body gets strong when you perform physical training with consistency over a long period of time, when you decide to persist and resist.
Your spirit and soul do not get strong with a lack of self-control. Your spirit and soul get strong when you find yourself on the right path with the right people, when you decide to persist and resist.
Do not forget. You are what you consistently do. Therefore consider how much better off you would be if you simply would persist and resist.
Mind your consistency and your company.
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