Stoic Quote: Let Go of Desire — Epictetus on Finding True Satisfaction

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism.

In this Stoic Quotes episode, Benny reflects on Epictetus’ words from Discourses 3.9:

“You too should drop your desire. Do not covet many things and you will get what you want.”

For Epictetus, the path to freedom and peace begins with the discipline of desire. We often chase after externals — wealth, success, recognition — only to find ourselves restless and unsatisfied. The more we want, the less content we feel. But when we align our desires with what is truly up to us, namely virtue and right action, we discover lasting satisfaction.

In this episode, Benny unpacks how Epictetus connects unchecked desire to frustration, anger, and fear, while showing that virtue is the only secure object of desire. You’ll hear how the Stoics distinguished between healthy wishes and destructive passions, and why letting go of unnecessary wants is the key to freedom.

Perfect for anyone exploring Epictetus’s quotes on desire, the Stoic discipline of desire, and practical philosophy for living a more grounded life.

In the Stoic Quotes series, we explore timeless wisdom from Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and more — discovering what they meant then and how we can live them today. In this episode, Benny connects Epictetus’ insight to the daily struggle of ambition, the need for role clarity, and the courage to choose virtue over externals.

If you are looking for more quotes like this one, visit viastoica.com. We have hundreds of Stoic sayings with full references, so you can find them in the original texts or use them in your own reflections.

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Make sure to subscribe for more quote episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer Stoic discussions. Leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions — we might feature them in a future episode.

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