Epictetus Enchiridion
Epictetus: Remember that following desire promises the…
Remember that following desire promises the attainment of that of which you are desirous; and aversion promises the avoiding that to which you are averse. However, he who fails to obtain the object of his desire is disappointed, and he who incurs the object of his aversion wretched.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of the Enchiridion. The reading beside it is ours.
Every desire quietly makes a promise: if I get this, I will be satisfied. Every aversion makes another: if I avoid this, I will be safe. That is why uncontrolled wanting is so costly. When your peace depends on a promotion, a text back, perfect health, or an uninterrupted plan, you have tied it to things that can refuse you. The result is disappointment or anxiety before anything has even happened. This does not mean becoming indifferent to all outcomes. You can prefer the job, enjoy the relationship, and work toward recovery. But do not hand over your emotional stability as payment for them. Aim your desire at what is yours: acting with courage, patience, and good sense. Those are goals that no bad break can completely take away.
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