Understanding the Will of Nature

Epictetus emphasizes that the 'will of nature' refers to the inherent truths and facts governing human life, which include shared experiences of accidents and inevitable events like death. He suggests that by observing how others react to life's mishaps, we can better comprehend these universal truths. For instance, when a neighbor's child accidentally breaks a cup, people often respond with compassion and understanding, recognizing these incidents as common occurrences. This perspective can be applied to our own lives; when faced with similar situations, we should aim to respond with the same acceptance rather than taking the events personally.