If You Want to Be Steady
True good and evil reside entirely within our choices, turning external chaos into mere raw material for our character.
"The essence of good is a certain kind of reasoned choice; just as the essence of evil is another kind. What about externals, then? They are only the raw material for our reasoned choice, which finds its own good or evil in working with them. How will it find the good? Not by marveling at the material! For if judgments about the material are straight that makes our choices good, but if those judgments are twisted, our choices turn bad." Epictetus, Discourses, 1.29.1–3
Most of us naturally seek core virtues like steadiness, stability, and tranquility. Yet, all too often, we only seem to experience these beautiful states of mind fleetingly. To describe the ultimate realization of this elusive goal, Arrian used a profound technical term to summarize the teachings of Epictetus: eustatheia. This state represents a deep, unshakable steadiness that anchors us regardless of the turbulence surrounding us.
Crucially, achieving this stability is never a matter of random luck. It is also not accomplished by simply running away from society to seek quiet and isolation. Instead, true steadiness is forged by filtering the outside world directly through the straightener of our own rational judgment. The external events of the world are naturally crooked, confusing, and completely overwhelming. However, your reason can take that messy external nature and transform it into an orderly, manageable experience.
The danger arises if our internal judgments are crooked or misaligned, because everything that follows will inevitably be crooked as well. When we misjudge reality, we completely lose our vital ability to steady ourselves amidst the endless chaos and rush of daily life. If you genuinely want clarity and want to remain steady through any storm, cultivating proper judgment is the absolute best and only way forward.
Common Questions
Where do good and evil truly originate according to Epictetus?
Good and evil do not exist in things outside of us; they are found entirely within the quality of our reasoned choices.
What role do external things play in our lives?
Externals act merely as raw material for our reasoned choice to work with. They are neither inherently good nor bad on their own.
What is "eustatheia" and how do we build it?
It is the Stoic term for steadiness, stability, and tranquility. It is built not by escaping the world, but by filtering external chaos through straight, accurate internal judgments.
Your Key Takeaway: If you want clarity, proper judgment is the best way. Treat everything that happens around you as raw material. When your internal judgements stay straight, your choices stay good, and your mind remains completely steady.