The Importance of Self-Control

Epictetus believes that lack of self-control is a serious vice that goes against the core tenets of Stoicism. When we try to control things outside of ourselves, we often lose self-control. For example, if someone says something negative about us, trying to force them to take it back can lead to a loss of self-control. Instead, maintaining self-control involves not letting others' opinions affect us and calmly assessing if their criticism has merit. By focusing on controlling ourselves rather than external circumstances, we maintain self-control and live in line with Stoic principles.