Discover how Stoics approached gossip and why you shouldn't let others' opinions affect you. Learn how responding with humor can diffuse the weight of gossip.
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Quick takeaways
Epictetus teaches us to not be concerned with rumors or others' opinions about us, but instead respond with humor and let their words slide off.
Unless criticism highlights a failure in living up to our standards, we should not feel the need to defend ourselves and allow the opinions of others to dictate our choices or how we live our lives.
Deep dives
Dealing with Gossip
Epictetus teaches us to not be concerned with rumors or others' opinions about us. Instead of defending ourselves, we should respond with humor and let their words slide off. If we are living up to our own standards and not harming others, the opinions of others should not impact how we live our lives. It is only when criticism highlights a misalignment with our principles that we should consider it. Ultimately, other people's opinions are not our concern.
Giving Rumors Their Proper Weight
When others speak ill of us or spread rumors, it is important to give their words the appropriate weight. Unless their criticism points to a failure in living up to our standards, we should not feel the need to defend ourselves. The opinions of others should not dictate our choices or how we live our lives. By responding with humor and not taking their words to heart, we can maintain our peace of mind and focus on living according to our own principles.
“If you learn that someone is speaking ill of you, don’t try to defend yourself against the rumours; respond instead with, ‘Yes, and he doesn’t know the half of it, because he could have said more.’” - Epictetus