XV. That we should approach each individual thing with circumspection. In Stoic thought, "circumspection" involves a careful examination of our impressions before we act on them.
XVI. That we should enter into social circles with caution.
XVII. Concerning Providence. The Stoics believed in a rational, divine order that governs the universe for the benefit of the whole.
XVIII. That we should not allow news to disturb us.
XIX. What is the status of the laymanidiōtou: a person who is not trained in philosophy, as opposed to a practitioner, and what is that of the philosopher?
XX. That it is possible to derive benefit from every external circumstance.
XXI. To those who casually take up the profession of lecturingsophisteuein: teaching or public speaking for the sake of reputation rather than moral improvement.
XXII. Concerning the calling of a CynicAn ascetic philosopher who lived in extreme simplicity to demonstrate that happiness comes from virtue alone.
XXIII. To those who read and discuss for the sake of showing off.
XXIV. That we should not long for things that are not within our powereph’ hēmin: the fundamental Stoic category of things we control, namely our own will and judgments.
XXV. To those who fail to achieve their goals.
XXVI. To those who fear wantaporia: a state of being without resources or in financial distress.

CHAPTER I

Of personal adornment

1 Once, when he was visited by a young student of rhetoric whose hair was styled with too much care, and whose clothing in general was quite fancy, Epictetus said: Tell me, do you not think that some dogs are beautiful, and some horses, and so with every other creature?
2 —I do, said the young man.
—Is it not also true for humans, that some are handsome and some are ugly?
—Of course.
3 —Do we, then, call each of these creatures "beautiful" for the same reasons, or is each beautiful for its own specific reasons? I will show you what I mean. Since we see that a dog is born for one purpose, and a horse for another, and, if you like, a nightingale for something else entirely, in general Epictetus is using a classic Socratic method, leading the student to realize that "beauty" is tied to a creature's specific function or nature rather than just its appearance.