Mind Over Tyranny: Epictetus’ Profound Teaching on Personal Freedom

The words of Epictetus, one of Stoicism’s OGs, hit hard today too.

One of his most powerful quotes challenges us to reconsider what truly enslaves us, urging us to focus not on external tyranny but on mastering our own thoughts and responses.

The quote is:

“What frightens most people and keeps them subdued? It can’t be the tyrant and his bodyguards; what nature has made free can only be disturbed or hampered by itself.

A person’s own thoughts unnerve them. If a tyrant threatens to chain our leg, whoever holds his leg in high regard will beg for mercy, whereas the person who cares more for his character will answer back, ‘Go ahead and chain it, if that’s what you want.’”

This passage is essentially the core of Stoic philosophy.

It might seem like Epictetus is simply advising people to not be afraid of physical oppression. However, a deeper examination reveals a profound lesson about inner freedom.

Epictetus believes that external forces cannot truly enslave us unless we allow them to.

The real source of fear and suffering is our own thoughts. It’s our perception of a threat, not the threat itself, that controls how we feel and respond.

If we place too much value on our physical bodies or our material possessions, we become vulnerable to external forces.

But if we hold our character and inner peace as the highest values, we can remain stable, even in the face of oppression.

The Meaning Behind Inner Freedom

Epictetus teaches that true freedom comes from controlling how we react to external circumstances.

When a tyrant threatens to imprison or harm us, we often feel fear, because we tie our sense of value to our physical well-being.

According to Epictetus, the moment we stop fearing what happens to our bodies and start focusing on maintaining our integrity, we unlock true freedom.

He asks us to question: What are we truly afraid of?

If we fear losing our physical freedom or our material wealth, we have allowed these external things to become too important.

The Stoic answer is simple but brutally hard to grasp on a deepeter level:

The only thing that can truly enslave us is our own mind.

If we train ourselves to care more about our character than our external circumstances, we free ourselves (at least partially) from the tyranny of fear.

Epictetus and Other Philosophers

Let’s see how Epictetus’ teachings compare to those of other well-known philosophers:

PhilosopherKey IdeasComparison to Epictetus
EpictetusStoicism, self-mastery, inner freedom, virtue as the highest good
AristotleEthics, virtue ethics, pursuit of happiness through balanced livingEmphasizes practical wisdom and virtue, but less focus on inner peace
NietzscheWill to power, overcoming adversity, creation of selfBoth advocate strength in the face of adversity, but Nietzsche embraces external achievements more than inner peace
SocratesThe unexamined life is not worth living, pursuit of knowledge and virtueLike Epictetus, focuses on the importance of living virtuously but places more emphasis on dialogue and knowledge
Marcus AureliusReflection on the impermanence of life, controlling emotionsA Stoic Emperor with similar views to Epictetus, emphasizing mental discipline and resilience
ConfuciusEthics, social harmony, respect for tradition and authorityBoth emphasize virtue and character, but Confucius focuses more on societal roles and relationships
Photo by Abdul Ahad Sheikh on Unsplash

Criticism of Epictetus’ Teachings

While Epictetus’ teachings on inner freedom have resonated for centuries, they can be challenged.

Some argue that his philosophy of detachment might lead to passivity in the face of injustice.

If we focus solely on controlling our internal state, does that mean we ignore the problems of the world?

Those who are deeply oppressed may not have the luxury of focusing solely on their thoughts.

Real-world issues like poverty, inequality, and violence are not easily overcome by mindset alone.

Another criticism is the potential for self-resignation.

If we believe everything is within our control, we might neglect the need for social or political action.

After all, it’s easier to accept inner freedom when external freedom is not directly threatened.

The idea of accepting suffering without striving for change can be dangerous if taken to extremes.

In my opinion, one of the greatest examples in modern literature where Stoic teachings show their weaknesses in practicality is 1984 by George Orwell.

The novel paints a harrowing picture of life under a totalitarian regime that seeks not only to control people’s external lives but also to invade their minds and thoughts.

Winston Smith, the protagonist, attempts to resist the Party’s domination by clinging to his inner sense of freedom and individuality.

In many ways, his early defiance reflects the Stoic principle that freedom lies in the mind, not in external circumstances.

Winston writes in his secret journal, cherishing his ability to think freely, and he pursues a forbidden relationship with Julia as a way to assert his autonomy.

However, Orwell’s narrative ultimately reveals the profound limitations of inner freedom when faced with an all-encompassing external force.

The Party, through its surveillance, propaganda, and psychological manipulation, eradicates even the possibility of private thought.

Concepts like “doublethink” and the alteration of historical records show how the Party rewires reality itself, making it nearly impossible for individuals to trust their own perceptions, let alone resist.

As Winston reflects, “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”

Yet, the Party’s relentless control ensures even this basic truth is subverted, crushing the foundation of independent thought.

The infamous Room 101 scene exemplifies this. Despite Winston’s efforts to hold onto his inner sense of self, the Party breaks him completely, demonstrating that external forces can, in fact, invade the mind and destroy what Stoicism holds most sacred.

His final capitulation, “He loved Big Brother,” marks the complete eradication of his inner resistance, showing the devastating power of a system that leaves no space for mental freedom.

This raises important questions about the applicability of Stoicism in extreme conditions.

Epictetus might argue that Winston’s downfall stemmed from valuing external circumstances—his love for Julia, his need for historical truth—over his internal virtue.

But 1984 challenges this assumption, illustrating that even our thoughts and inner lives are not always entirely under our control.

Winston’s defeat highlights the reality that some external systems are so pervasive and oppressive that inner freedom alone is insufficient to resist them.

Orwell’s novel serves as a cautionary tale. It suggests that while Stoic principles like resilience and self-mastery are admirable, they must be complemented by collective action and external safeguards against tyranny.

Without addressing the systems of oppression that enable such control, the possibility of both inner and outer freedom becomes dangerously fragile.

Epictetus Today

In today’s world, we might not face tyrants with swords or chains, but we are still surrounded by pressures that try to control our minds.

Consumerism, social media, workplace demands, and even mental health issues are modern tyrants. How we respond to these pressures is key to maintaining our freedom.

Epictetus teaches us that the true tyrant is not always an external force but our own internal battles—our fears, insecurities, and desires.

Modern life often magnifies these internal struggles, but Epictetus offers a solution: through self-awareness and control over our thoughts, we can live in harmony with our deeper values and become free from external pressures.

Practical Application of Stoic Principles

When we face difficult situations, whether it’s an unjust boss, a challenging relationship, or a global crisis, we can ask ourselves: “What is in my control?”

Practicing mindfulness or journaling to reflect on our thoughts, or even taking deep breaths before reacting to stress, are simple ways to apply Epictetus’ principles in our daily lives.

Modern Psychological Connection

Epictetus’ teachings share a striking similarity with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a modern psychological technique. Both emphasize that it’s not events that disturb us, but our interpretation of those events.

Just as CBT helps individuals change destructive thought patterns to improve their emotional well-being, Stoicism teaches us to challenge our negative perceptions and focus on what is within our control.

Final Words

Epictetus’ teachings are timeless because they remind us that no one, no matter how powerful, can truly control us unless we allow it.

According to him, the only true tyranny is the one that exists within our own minds.

If we learn to master our thoughts, fears, and desires, we can live freely, almost regardless of the circumstances we face.

The key is to focus not on what is beyond our control, but on the strength and freedom that come from within.

The reality, however, is that this isn’t always possible as I pointed out in the passage about 1984.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t/can’t try, though.

The quote below is from an anonymous author but hits hard too and would like to use it as a finish:

“The chains that bind us are never forged in steel, but in the silence of our own minds. True freedom is not the absence of force, but the courage to stand unshaken, even when the world seeks to bend us.”

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