Series II · Card 9 of 21 · THE PAINTED PORCH
It’s not things that disturb us, but our judgments about things.
EPICTETUS · ENCHEIRIDION 5
Original (grc)
Ταράσσει τοὺς ἀνθρώπους οὐ τὰ πράγματα, ἀλλὰ τὰ περὶ τῶν πραγμάτων δόγματα.Translation: Benedikt Stafflinger
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About the author
Greek Stoic philosopher (c. 50–135 AD). Born enslaved, later freed. Taught that philosophy is a way of life — not theory — and that freedom begins with what lies within one’s own power.
About the source
Enchiridion: a little handbook in which his student Arrian condensed Epictetus’s teaching into short passages.
The question on the back
How quickly do you notice when only your own judgment is troubling you?