Stoic Quote: A Peaceful Mind Depends on You Alone

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this week's Stoic Quotes episode, we look at Epictetus, Discourses, Book 4, Chapter 4, recorded by Arrian. He writes:

“But it is a much finer thing to be happy, to have a peaceful and undisturbed mind, to have what concerns you depend on nobody but yourself.”

At first glance, this can sound like withdrawal from the world, but Epictetus is pointing to something more demanding. He is reminding us that the moment we tie our happiness to externals, whether comfort, leisure, approval, or even quiet, we become dependent and easily disturbed. Stoic happiness is not about arranging perfect conditions, but about cultivating inner steadiness through right judgment. In modern terms, peace comes not from controlling life, but from aligning our desires with what is truly up to us.

This teaching echoes through Stoicism, from Marcus Aurelius’ emphasis on inner rule to Seneca’s insistence that freedom begins with self-command. It touches all three Stoic disciplines: Desire, by letting go of attachments to externals; Assent, by examining the judgments that create disturbance; and Action, by choosing what accords with reason and virtue, even when it feels uncomfortable. Practically, this means learning to remain composed when plans fail, choosing values over convenience, and finding contentment in acting well rather than feeling comfortable.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoic inner peace and solitude:
https://viastoica.com/10-marcus-aurelius-quotes-on-being-alone/
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