Epictetus: When walking, you are careful not to step on…

When you walk, you watch for potholes and sharp objects because a careless step can hurt you. Epictetus asks for the same vigilance with your mind. A careless judgment can be just as damaging: assuming the worst, repeating gossip, acting from envy, or agreeing to something you know is wrong. These mental missteps are often small at first, which is why they are easy to miss. You do not need to become anxious or monitor every thought with suspicion. You do need the habit of checking your direction before acting. Before sending the message, making the purchase, joining the argument, or accepting the invitation, ask whether it harms the part of you that chooses. Will this leave you clearer, freer, and more just, or more tangled in impulse? A few seconds of attention can prevent hours of regret. Guard your judgment as carefully as you guard your footing.