And so it is in life. We need standards such as exist in the case of silver, so that we can make a similar claim as the assayer’s: ‘Bring me any coin at all, I will tell you whether or not it’s genuine.’ [4] Instead, it is in analysing syllogisms that we like to be able to say, ‘Bring me any you like, and I can judge whether it is or is not analytic.’ Why? Because we know how to analyse arguments, and have the skill a person needs to evaluate competent logicians. [5] But in life what do I do? What today I say is good tomorrow I will swear is bad. And the reason is that, compared to what I know about syllogisms, my knowledge and experience of life fall far behind.
Discourses 2.3.3
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the inconsistency between our intellectual abilities and our judgment in life. As Epictetus notes, "What today I say is good tomorrow I will swear is bad" (Discourses 2.3.3). This passage reveals that our judgments about life are often fleeting and unreliable, unlike our ability to analyze syllogisms, where we can confidently evaluate arguments.
This inconsistency suggests that we need to develop a more stable and principled approach to making judgments about life. Epictetus implies that we should strive to be like the assayer, who can confidently evaluate the authenticity of a coin (Discourses 2.3.3). To live well, we need to cultivate a deeper understanding of life and develop standards that guide our decisions, much like the assayer's standards for evaluating silver.
To apply this insight today, consider the areas where your judgments tend to be inconsistent or unreliable. Reflect on the values and principles that guide your decisions, and ask yourself: "What are my standards for evaluating what is good or bad in life?" As you navigate the challenges of the day, try to approach them with a more discerning and principled mindset, recognizing that your judgments should be based on a deeper understanding of what is truly important.
As you ponder this, ask yourself: What is one area of my life where I can begin to develop more consistent and principled judgments, and what standard can I use to guide my decisions in that area?