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Conversations in Management

Epictetus

Life is like a dinner party.

Epictetus was born into slavery sometime around 55 C.E. in a Greek speaking region of the Roman Empire called Phrygia. As the story goes, his master was cruelly tightening a shackle to his leg when Epictetus cautioned that his leg was about to break. Ignoring the warning, the master continued the torture and snapped the boy’s leg. Instead of crying out, Epictetus coolly observed, “There; didn’t I tell you it would break?” Though permanently crippled by the injury, his master was so impressed by the boy’s response that he enrolled him in school to study philosophy and later freed him. Now if Epictetus’ response struck you as “stoic,” it will come as no surprise to learn the he went on to become the best known of the Stoic philosophers. Though he would be banished to Greece by the Emperor Domitian—who banished all philosophers from Rome on general principle—he would become a favorite of Hadrian and would have a profound impact on Marcus Aurelius. His academy in Nicopolis became extremely popular with Rome’s elites and had wide-ranging impact on the entire empire. Epictetus’s two works, The Discourses and the Enchiridion, provide the fullest accounting of Stoic beliefs available—beliefs that 21^st century folks might find particularly helpful.

Nowadays, most people think of philosophy as an intellectual pursuit best left to academic types. Epictetus, however, saw philosophy as a practical tool for daily living. He believed that the study of philosophy could provide individuals with skills necessary to live better lives. The core of his belief was that man’s principle aim in life is to flourish and be happy. In order to achieve this end, one must first accept that some things are within their control and some things aren’t. By pursuing the things that can be controlled and not becoming distracted by the things that can’t, we can determine our destiny. For Epictetus, this was a matter of character. Someone with strong character recognizes that how they respond to people and events in their lives is of far greater consequence than who those people are or what events actually transpire. While you can’t always control what happens to you, you can always control how you respond.

Epictetus liked to use metaphors to help his students understand the practical application of philosophy. His favorites have to do with pleasurable activities such as games, play, sports, festivals and parties. These metaphors all suggest that we should each strive for happiness in our lives. Yet, the pursuit of happiness is tempered with discipline. At the dinner party, for example, your behavior is regulated by moderation. All are expected to share equally in the meal. The party also reflects patience as one waits for each course to be served without irritation or being demanding. Restraint is also demonstrated at the party when we refrain from taking the last bit of food on the serving plate or the last drop of wine in the bottle.

Epictetus is as relevant today as he was in the Roman Empire. Now, as then, folks want to lead happy, productive lives. Epictetus reminds us that it’s a character issue. If we focus on the things we can control and not let ourselves be overwhelmed by the things we can’t, that dreamed of life is within grasp. It may take discipline, but it can be done. It’s an approach to life worth being stoic about!

—Ebert