How much is a head of lettuce worth? One obol, perhaps? Now if someone pays an obol and gets the head of lettuce, while you will not pay this much and therefore go without, don’t imagine that you necessarily come off second best. As he has the lettuce, you still have the money. [4] And it’s much the same in our case. You were not invited to someone’s party, because you wouldn’t pay the host the price of admission, namely paying her court and singing her praises. So pay the bill, if you expect to gain by it, and give no further thought to the expense. But if you won’t pay the bill and still want the benefits, you are not only greedy but a fool. [5] If you forgo the meal, however, must it mean that you leave empty- handed? You have the advantage of not having to praise the host, which you find disagreeable (and won’t have to put up with the insolence of his slaves).
Enchiridion 25.3
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the value of making choices based on one's own principles and priorities. As Epictetus notes, "You have the advantage of not having to praise the host, which you find disagreeable" [Enchiridion 25.5]. This passage reveals that living well involves being mindful of the costs and benefits of our choices, and being willing to forgo certain benefits if the cost is too high.
The key insight is that we often have a choice in how we allocate our resources, including our time, energy, and attention. We can choose to "pay the bill" and gain certain benefits, or we can choose to forgo those benefits and retain our autonomy and integrity. As Epictetus says, "If you won't pay the bill and still want the benefits, you are not only greedy but a fool" [Enchiridion 25.4]. This highlights the importance of being honest with ourselves about what we are willing to pay for, and what we are not.
To apply this insight today, someone might reflect on their own choices and priorities. They might ask themselves, "What am I willing to pay for, and what am I not?" or "What are the costs and benefits of this particular choice?" By being more mindful of the trade-offs involved in our choices, we can make more intentional decisions that align with our values and principles.
As Epictetus notes, "As he has the lettuce, you still have the money" [Enchiridion 25.3]. This suggests that even when we forgo certain benefits, we may still retain something of value. By focusing on what we have, rather than what we lack, we can cultivate a sense of contentment and gratitude. Today, someone might try to approach their choices with a sense of clarity and intention, recognizing that every decision involves a trade-off, and that living well involves being mindful of those trade-offs. What is one choice you can make today that aligns with your values and priorities?