WHATS WITHIN CONTROL?
WHATEVER IS OWN DOING!
WHATS IS LEFT IS NOT.

The Dichotomy of Control is a central teaching of stoicism and one we all struggle with - especially to accept under stressful times such as grief or when things have not gone our way. In life there is relatively little within our control - opinion, motivation, desire, aversion; Our bodies, reputation, location (at time), wealth etc we cannot control to any large degree. This does not mean that we cannot put effort or planning into what we don’t control - a saving plan for a rainy day, retirement, having a health check etc. Things go wrong, life throws a curveball from time to time (positive and negative). We should learn not to be derailed of these events because in the long term it is of little consequence. Time will pass and we will pass with it - so don’t get bent out of shape because of others and events - only madness can result from going down that path. Stand back and take the long view!!

According to some sources the commonly used word ‘control’ is wrong and an a misunderstanding of stoicism. A better translation would be “What is cause or dependence” - “What’s up to me” would be an alternative … there are certainly differences there to the more commonly used word ‘control’.