The Most Disturbing Stoic Quote From Epictetus That Will Rewire Your Brain

“The first time I read it, I wanted to burn the book and give up philosophy forever.”

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One of the phrases that pisses me off the most in the world is paradoxically from my favorite thinker, Epictetus.

It is one of those things that you read, and it sticks in your head like chewing gum on a slipper.

I’ve been indignant about the phrase for years until yesterday.

The phrase of Epictetus almost made me give up philosophy.

“With everything that attracts you, that you like, or find useful, remember to tell yourself what it is, beginning with the simplest things. If you like a pot, say, ‘I like this pot,’ so that if it breaks, you will not be disturbed. When you kiss your child or your wife, say, ‘I kiss a human being,’ so that if they die, you will not feel disturbed.” — Epictetus.

The first time I read it, I wanted to burn the book and give up philosophy forever because Epictetus compares having your family die to having a pot break.

It seemed to me an inhuman phrase and typical of a sociopath.

But I couldn’t get it out of my head because Epictetus has other great phrases that have helped me so much.

So I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought, “Maybe one day I will understand what he meant by such a harsh phrase.”

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