"The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own...."

Epictetus was born enslaved in Phrygia (modern Turkey) and brought to Rome as property of Nero's secretary Epaphroditus. Ancient sources say a master once twisted his leg, and Epictetus calmly warned, "You will break it." It broke, and he responded, "Did I not tell you?" From then on he had one lame leg. What he could not own was his body, his station in life, or his safety. What he did own was his judgment. He studied with Musonius Rufus, practiced the separation of "mine" and "not mine", and when freed, he taught that a straight mind can inhabit a bent body.

Your first and constant task is to sort every impression into externals and internals. "Is this mine or not?" Externals are things outside of your control: weather, markets, other people, reputation, the past. Internals are yours to control: your judgments, choices, speech, and conduct. Stop hunting good and evil in what you can't command. Look only at your choices. If you judgment is crooked, even prosperity corrupts you. If your judgment is straight, even adversity becomes material for excellence.

This is not a slogan. It is a working method. Before you react, separate the field. Name what is outside your control, refuse to attach your peace to it, and then choose the next just, courageous, disciplined, and wise action. That is the whole craft of Stoic Philosophy applied.

Common Errors to Discard

1. Trying to steer opinions, outcomes, or timing: You can influence, but you cannot command.
2. Calling externals "good" or "bad": Externals are materials, not measures.
3. "It's out of my control, so I do nothing." Incorrect. You always control how you judge and act.
4. Blaming "circumstances" for vice: Pressure reveals character; it doesn't license it.

Modern Life

• Work: Reviews, titles, and others' credit are out of your control. Clear work, clean speech, meeting commitments, and correcting errors promptly are within your control. State the internal standard and commit to acting by it.
• Relationships: The other's mood or return of affection is external. Your honesty, patience, boundaries, and promises are within your control. Speak truth once without heat, adjust your conduct, and don't litigate for affection.
• Health: Genetics, unforseen illness, and accidents are external. Your adherence to treatment, self-discipline, attitude, and personal usefulness are within your control. Follow the plan, drop the catastrophe narratives, and remain of service where you can.
• Money: Market swings and others' pay are outside of your control. Earning justly, prudent spending, refusing luxury-as-theater, and helping where you duty calls are within your control. Do your part, release the rest.
• Public image/online sentiment: Comments and trends are not yours. What you publish, what you ignore, and how you correct and respond are yours. Contribute value, avoid outrage-peddling, and leave the mob to its weather.

Maxims

• Good and evil live in choice, not in fortune.
• Influence many things, control only yourself.
• Measure by the act, not the outcome.

In-depth Concepts

Dichotomy of Control

Two bins, no third. Anything not wholly yours goes in the external bin. This is a sorting tool, not a metaphysical debate.

Assent & Action

First judge the impression (true/false, mine/not mine), then choose the fitting act by the four virtues. These are the levers of your freedom.

Value Hierarchy

Only virtue is good; only vice is bad. All else is "preferred" or "dispreferred". Without this, you will keep smuggling externals into your definition of the good.

Freedom as Non-dependence

You become unfettered when your peace does not rely on what other people, chance, or time can remove.