Why Epictetus Still Matters Today

Picture a man, almost two thousand years ago, sitting quietly at a Roman street corner. He’s old, with a beard and steady eyes. Despite being born a slave, he’s free now—at least, where it counts most: in his mind. His name is Epictetus, and he will go on to become one of the most influential philosophers the world has ever known.

So why, centuries after his death, do we still turn to Epictetus? Why does a former slave with nothing to his name continue to change lives in an age of smartphones, social media, and unrelenting stress?

Epictetus taught a simple but profound lesson: there are things we control, and things we don’t. Our actions, choices, and thoughts—that’s up to us. Everything else—the opinions of others, the weather, even our health—are not. What matters isn’t what happens to us, but how we respond.

It’s a deceptively simple idea, but it’s also revolutionary. Take the modern workplace. Maybe your boss is in a bad mood. Or your train is delayed, or you open your phone to a stream of bad news. Instead of spiraling into frustration or outrage, Epictetus asks: Can you control it? If not, let it go. Focus on your own character, your own actions.

That's the heart of Stoicism, and it feels tailor-made for our anxious, distracted century. The daily grind bombards us with things we can’t change. Social media lures us into measuring ourselves against others, amplifying what’s outside our control. But Epictetus offers a toolkit for finding stability in the chaos.

His advice? Don’t demand that things happen as you wish. Wish them to happen as they do, and you will go smoothly through life. In other words, relinquish the illusion of control, and you’ll find real freedom.

It’s no wonder his teachings pop up everywhere—from self-help books to the locker rooms of elite athletes. Admiral James Stockdale, imprisoned for years as a POW in Vietnam, credited Epictetus with helping him survive. He couldn’t control his captivity, but he could control how he faced it, holding onto his integrity and his choices.

Epictetus still matters because he brings us back to the basics. He reminds us that no app, headline, or algorithm can rule our minds unless we let them. When the world feels overwhelming, his words are an anchor: strong, practical, and unyielding.

Centuries may pass, but the art of living—how to endure, how to flourish—never goes out of style. And in a noisy world, Epictetus’ calm wisdom cuts through: Focus on what you can control, and let the rest go. The ancient stoic is still speaking—if we’ll only stop to listen