Don't Feel, Don't Suffer, Just Do

Epictetus handbook 1-5



3.With regard to whatever objects either delight the mind, or contribute to use, or are tenderly beloved, remind yourself of what nature they are, beginning with the merest trifles: if you have a favorite cup, that it is but a cup of which you are fond, – for thus, if it is broken, you can bear it; if you embrace your child, or your wife, that you embrace a mortal, – and thus, if either of them dies, you can bear it.

This is very harsh. How are you expected to see your family or beloved ones as you see your favorite cup? Although it might be your favorite cup, you will never be fond to it as much as you will to any human being.

What this section of the handbook says is that you cant be attached to anything in your life because everything ends at some point.

Billy Pilgrim, in Slaughter House-Five wasn't attached to any of his familiars.

He experienced the contrary of what the Epictetus says. Instead of people disappearing from his life, he disappeared from everyone's life as he lived differently than others. Them being there in the future or in the past wasn't really important to him because he was forced to live in the moments. That is why he didn't suffer with others dying around him.

Yet, Billy did suffer wen he saw the horses. This means that Billy was not detached from death or suffering because he wanted to but because he had to.

This section of the Epictetus is crucial for a warrior. One that has to focus only in the present. (Being the war for them, and being everything for Billy.)

Connecting the Epictetus to something else, this section reminds me of Alexander's Pope maxim about knowledge.

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"

You can see how a person with enough knowledge can influence other people's views on any aspect of life. Including the loss of beloved ones...