Wisdom isn't given. It's earned, and it sets you free.
Most people are controlled by their impulses, their temper, their desires and their delusions. What Epictetus came to understand is that wisdom is freedom.
Freedom from the things that have enslaved and controlled and directed people for all time. From ignorance. From stupid opinions. From immature emotions and childish impulses. From desires and delusions. From bitterness, frustration and resentment.
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That's the point of wisdom: to argue less, to rage less, to be upset less, and to enjoy what Epictetus called “a smooth flow of life”.
The Stoics also believed that wisdom is something we have to work for, not something we're given. It didn't matter whether you were a slave like Epictetus or raised as royalty like Marcus Aurelius. Wisdom still had to be earned.
How do you earn it? Through hard work. Through reading, thinking and reflecting. Through mentors and teachers. Through painful trial and error. Through opening yourself to experiences and knowledge outside your comfort zone.
TRY THIS TODAY
Pick one book, one mentor or one experience outside your comfort zone, and commit to it this month.
Much of what I've learned about Stoicism comes from Ryan Holiday. Find more of his writing at dailystoic.com and ryanholiday.net.
While I have edited much of this content, there are some cases where I have taken Ryan Holiday's words directly. I've included them because I think they are powerful and will be helpful for you. They are also helpful for me, and I've put them here so I can learn and understand more myself.
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