What did the Stoic philosopher Epictetus think about happiness? How does he propose we lead a good, happy life? A philosophical exploration, including numerous quotes from Epictetus.
Inhalt
Key Points Summarised
- Happiness through the Right Inner Attitude: Epictetus teaches that true happiness (eudaimonia) comes from cultivating the right inner attitude (prohairesis), with external events having only limited influence.
- Acceptance of the Uncontrollable: We should focus on what is within our power and accept what we cannot change with serenity.
- Self-Determination and Freedom: Happiness arises from living virtuously and remaining undeterred by negative external circumstances.
Now, for the details…
Who Was Epictetus?
Epictetus (c. 50–138 AD) was an ancient philosopher affiliated with the Stoic school of thought. Little is known about his life, but it is likely that his experiences as a slave in Rome shaped both his philosophy and his outlook. After gaining his freedom, he founded his own philosophical school, influenced by other Stoics such as Musonius Rufus.
Epictetus did not write any works himself; however, his teachings were recorded by his student Arrian and passed down to posterity. A key text is the widely-read Encheiridion (Handbook), which has become central to understanding Epictetus‘ philosophy on happiness.
Epictetus and the Good Life
A central tenet of Epictetus’ Stoic philosophy is the distinction between things that are within our control and things that are not. According to him, we have no control over external factors such as our bodies, wealth, social status, or reputation. However, we do have control over our thoughts, beliefs, and reactions. This understanding is crucial for achieving happiness.
One of Epictetus’ most famous quotes is:
“It is not the things themselves that disturb us, but our opinions about them. […] When we are upset, we should never blame others, but ourselves and our own opinions.” (5)
In Stoic thought, external misfortunes—such as crises, disasters, or setbacks—are not inherently troubling. It is our thoughts about these events that lead to negative feelings and unhappiness. For example, fear of death arises not from the fact of death itself but from our judgment of it as something dreadful.
A key concept for Epictetus is prohairesis, which refers to the power of choice or decision-making. It is the ability to critically assess and form judgments about things based on reason. Through continuous self-reflection and the pursuit of a virtuous life, we can attain happiness or eudaimonia.
In Stoic philosophy, the good life is one lived in accordance with reason and virtue. This includes apatheia (freedom from destructive passions) and ataraxia (peace of mind or inner tranquillity).
Interestingly, while happiness in the form of eudaimonia is rarely explicitly mentioned in Epictetus‘ writings, his emphasis on living a good life focused on inner contentment, rather than fleeting external goods like wealth or physical health, is clear.
In simplified terms: According to Epictetus, a truly happy person does not crave external possessions or achievements, but instead works on cultivating inner peace, which is within their control.
Epictetus and Happiness: Key Quotes
Here are some essential thoughts from Epictetus, drawn from his Encheiridion:
What Is in Our Control and What Is Not
Epictetus makes a crucial distinction between things within our control and those beyond it. As he states in the Encheiridion:
“Some things are up to us, and others are not. What is up to us includes our opinions, desires, aversions, in short, everything that is our own work. What is not up to us includes our body, wealth, reputation, office—everything that is not our own work.” (1.1)
Our bodies may suffer or decay, wealth can be lost, and our reputation or social standing can change. But what is in our control—after proper Stoic training—is our inner world: our thoughts, opinions, and judgments.
Focus on What You Can Change
Epictetus advocates focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot. As he says:
“Do not wish for things to be as you want them to be, but wish for them to be as they are, and your life will flow in peace.” (8)
This reflects the inner peace of someone who is not distressed by external circumstances.
He also advises:
“You can be invincible if you never engage in a fight where victory is not in your control.” (19.1)
This reminds us to focus on what we can change and accept what is beyond our power.
Things vs. Opinions: Epictetus and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Epictetus’ teachings about the power of thoughts in shaping our emotions are foundational to modern psychology, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Therapists like Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck have drawn heavily from Stoic philosophy, including Epictetus, to develop their therapeutic frameworks.
One well-known quote illustrates this idea:
“It is not the things themselves that disturb us, but our opinions about them. […] When we are upset, we should never blame others, but ourselves and our own opinions.” (5)
This idea has strongly influenced CBT, which focuses on identifying and challenging irrational beliefs to improve emotional well-being.
Epictetus also provides another insight into how we might handle comparisons:
“The following conclusions are incorrect: ‘I am richer than you, therefore I am better than you.’; ‘I am more eloquent than you, therefore I am better than you.’ The correct conclusions would be: ‘I am richer than you, so my wealth is greater than yours’; ‘I am more eloquent than you, so my way of speaking is better than yours.’ But you yourself are neither your wealth nor your manner of speaking.” (44)
Final Thoughts
Epictetus‘ teachings on happiness remain remarkably relevant today. His belief that we have control over our inner world (even if this requires ongoing effort and training) and that this is where we should seek our happiness, rather than in external, fleeting things, has inspired many modern therapeutic and coaching practices.
In a world full of turmoil, much like the Hellenistic period in which Epictetus lived, his philosophy can offer a path toward greater peace of mind and serenity, even in the midst of crises.
From a modern CBT perspective, the crucial element in our emotional wellbeing is our cognition—our thoughts, which often carry irrational or dysfunctional judgments. These are what ultimately stir up emotions and lead to emotional distress. Epictetus’ philosophy thus represents a form of self-examination aimed at achieving happiness and mental health.
While I deeply respect the logical consistency of Epictetus’ ideas, I personally believe that happiness may also involve external factors, such as meaningful relationships, which fulfil our natural need for connection. This aspect of happiness seems to be somewhat underemphasised in Epictetus‘ Stoic view.
Are you interested in more English-language content on the philosophy of happiness? Then simply start here: Aristotle on Happiness: Exploring Eudaimonia and Virtue. And here: Adiaphora in Stoicism and Its Role in Achieving Happiness.
Sources, inspiration, and further readings
- Dobbin, R. (Trans.). (2008). Epictetus: Discourses and selected writings. Penguin Classics.
- Lebell, S. (Trans.). (1995). Art of living: The classical manual on virtue, happiness, and effectiveness (1st ed.). HarperOne.
- Irvine, W. B. (2008). A guide to the good life: The ancient art of Stoic joy. Oxford University Press.
- Robertson, D. (2010). The philosophy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT): Stoic philosophy as rational and cognitive psychotherapy. Karnac Books.
- Robertson, D. (2019). Stoicism and the art of happiness. Hodder & Stoughton.
Also inspiring:
- Morris, T. (2004). The Stoic art of living: Inner resilience and outer results. Open Court.
- Seneca, L. A. (1969). Letters from a Stoic (R. Campbell, Trans.). Penguin Classics. (Original work published ca. 65 CE)
- Aurelius, M. (2002). Meditations (G. Hays, Trans.). Modern Library. (Original work published ca. 180 CE)
- Holiday, R., & Hanselman, S. (2016). The daily Stoic: 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living. Portfolio.
- Pigliucci, M. (2017). How to be a Stoic: Using ancient philosophy to live a modern life. Basic Books.
The original German version of this article can be found here: Epiktet über das Glück.
Foto: Martens/Canva
