The body is the raw material of the doctor and physical therapist. Land is the farmer’s raw material. The raw material of the good man is his mind – his goal being to respond to impressions the way nature intended. [2] As a general rule, nature designed the mind to assent to what is true, dissent from what is false and suspend judgement in doubtful cases. Similarly, it conditioned the mind to desire what is good, to reject what is bad and to regard with indifference what is neither one nor the other. [3] Just as it is not in the power of a banker or retailer to reject Caesar’s money – they are forced to make a proportional exchange whether they want to or not – so it is with the soul: [4] when presented with something good it gravitates toward it immediately, as it recoils from anything bad. The soul will never reject a clear impression of good, any more than Caesar’s coin can be refused. The actions of gods as well as men are entirely based on this principle.
Discourses 3.3.1
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the alignment of one's mind with nature's intention. As Epictetus notes, "The raw material of the good man is his mind – his goal being to respond to impressions the way nature intended" (Discourses 3.3.1). This reveals that living well involves cultivating a mind that assents to truth, rejects falsehood, and remains indifferent to things that are neither good nor bad.
This passage offers insight into the natural functioning of the human mind, which is designed to "desire what is good, to reject what is bad and to regard with indifference what is neither one nor the other" (Discourses 3.3.2). It suggests that our minds are inclined towards virtue and wisdom, and that we should strive to align our thoughts and actions with this natural inclination.
To apply this insight today, one might reflect on their own desires and aversions, asking themselves: "Are my desires aligned with what is truly good, or are they driven by fleeting pleasures or external expectations?" By examining their own thoughts and feelings, individuals can begin to discern what is truly in line with their natural inclination towards virtue and wisdom.
As Epictetus notes, "The soul will never reject a clear impression of good" (Discourses 3.3.4). This suggests that when we are presented with a clear opportunity to act virtuously, we should trust our natural inclination to do so. Today, someone might ask themselves: "What is one clear impression of good that I can act on, and how can I take steps to align my actions with this inclination?" By doing so, they can cultivate a mind that is in harmony with nature's intention, and take a step towards living a more virtuous and fulfilling life.