So then he thinks: ‘If I serve a stint in the military all my troubles will be over.’ Consequently he joins the army, suffers everything a rank-and-file soldier has to suffer, and enlists for a second and then a third tour of duty. [40] Finally, when he crowns it off by becoming a senator, then he becomes a slave in fine company, then he experiences the poshest and most prestigious form of enslavement.
Discourses 4.1.39
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue in this passage is the tendency to seek external solutions to internal troubles. As Epictetus notes, the individual in the passage thinks that serving in the military will solve all his troubles, but this only leads to further enslavement. This reveals that true freedom and well-being come from within.
The passage suggests that we often mistake external changes for solutions to our internal struggles. As Epictetus illustrates, "he becomes a slave in fine company, then he experiences the poshest and most prestigious form of enslavement" (Discourses 4.1.40). This shows that no matter how impressive our external circumstances may seem, they do not guarantee inner peace or freedom.
To apply this insight today, consider where you may be seeking external solutions to internal troubles. Are you looking to a new job, a new relationship, or a new possession to bring you happiness? Remember that true fulfillment comes from living in accordance with nature and cultivating inner strength and wisdom.
As you go about your day, ask yourself: What are the things that I can control, and what are the things that I cannot? Focus on cultivating a strong and virtuous character, rather than relying on external events to bring you happiness. By doing so, you will be better equipped to navigate life's challenges with equanimity and wisdom.
What is one thing you can let go of today that you have been using as a means to escape your internal troubles?