“Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.”
What this quote means
Epictetus teaches us that our emotional reaction to others is our choice. If someone makes us angry, it's because we give them that power. By allowing ourselves to be disturbed, we become slaves to our emotions and to others. Self-mastery is inner freedom: no one can offend us without our consent. By developing awareness of our reactions, we can choose to remain calm and not let others dictate our state of mind.
How to apply it daily
The next time someone irritates you, pause before reacting. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that only you control your emotions.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Epictetus?
Our starting point
A short, practical first approach
Enchiridion
In a few pages, it sets out the central distinction between what depends on us and what does not.
- Level
- Accessible
- Reading time
- 1–2 hours
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
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