Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied Forgive Your Enemies with Epictetus (Episode 181)
Apr 29, 2025
Explore the radical teachings of Epictetus on anger and forgiveness. Learn why the Stoics advocate for empathy over resentment when dealing with wrongdoers. Discover how seeing those who harm us as victims of their own confusion can lead to emotional freedom. Delve into the idea that unethical behavior stems from ignorance, promoting compassion in our interactions. This ancient wisdom provides a refreshing perspective on moral struggles and personal peace.
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Understanding Moral Confusion
- People always act according to their own belief of what is right, even if mistaken.
- Bad people harm themselves by living under false beliefs and should be pitied, not punished.
Wrongdoing Is Self-Punishment
- Epictetus likens moral wrongdoing to disabilities like blindness, highlighting its harm to the wrongdoer.
- We shouldn't punish bad people since their confusion punishes them enough; we should pity them.
Pity Instead of Anger
- Pity those who harm you because they live confused, objectively hurt lives.
- This mindset eases anger and helps you move on, without necessarily forgiving prematurely or forgetting harm.
