Whatever you show consideration for, you are naturally inclined to love. Nowno one, of course, shows consideration for what’s bad, any more than they do for things that they have no connection with. [2] It follows that people only show consideration for what is good. [3] And if they show consideration for it, they must also love it. So the person who knows what is good is also the person who knows how to love. But if someone is incapable of distinguishing good things from bad and neutral things from either – well, how could such a person be capable of love? The power to love, then, belongs only to the wise man.
Discourses 2.22.1
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the nature of love and consideration. According to Epictetus, "Whatever you show consideration for, you are naturally inclined to love" (Discourses 2.22.1). This reveals that love is closely tied to our ability to discern and appreciate what is good.
This passage suggests that living well involves cultivating wisdom, particularly in distinguishing good from bad and neutral things. The wise person, who knows what is good, is also the one who knows how to love. This implies that love is not a mere emotion, but a thoughtful and intentional act.
To apply this insight today, one might reflect on their own values and priorities. What do you show consideration for? What do you love and why? Are your loves aligned with what is truly good, or are they driven by fleeting desires or external expectations? By examining your own loves and values, you can begin to cultivate a deeper understanding of what is truly good and worthy of your consideration.
As you go about your day, you might ask yourself: What am I showing consideration for, and is it truly worthy of my love? By focusing on what is good and worthy of love, you can cultivate a more intentional and thoughtful approach to living, one that is guided by wisdom and virtue.
What is one thing you can show consideration for today that aligns with your values and promotes the greater good?