Original Text(~129 words)
Duties are universally measured by relations. Is a certain man your father? In this are implied taking care of him, submitting to him in all things, patiently receiving his reproaches, his correction. But he is a bad father. Is your natural tie, then, to a _good_ father? No, but to a father. Is a brother unjust? Well, preserve your own just relation toward him. Consider not what _he_ does, but what _you_ are to do to keep your own will in a state conformable to nature, for another cannot hurt you unless you please. You will then be hurt when you consent to be hurt. In this manner, therefore, if you accustom yourself to contemplate the relations of neighbor, citizen, commander, you can deduce from each the corresponding duties.
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Summary
Epictetus teaches that our duties come from our relationships—father, sibling, neighbor, citizen—not from whether the other person deserves it. If your father is difficult or your brother treats you unfairly, that doesn't change what your role requires of you. Your job isn't to be a good son only to a good father, but to be a good son, period. This chapter reveals a crucial insight: other people can't actually hurt you unless you let them. The real damage happens when you abandon your own principles because someone else abandoned theirs. When your boss is unreasonable, your duty as an employee remains the same. When a friend betrays you, your duty as a friend to yourself—to act with integrity—doesn't change. Epictetus argues that by focusing on fulfilling your own role properly, regardless of how others perform theirs, you maintain your inner peace and self-respect. This isn't about being a doormat; it's about not letting other people's poor choices corrupt your character. You can set boundaries and protect yourself while still acting according to your values. The philosopher suggests that if you practice viewing each relationship through the lens of your duties rather than your grievances, you'll find clarity about how to act in any situation. This approach protects you from the endless cycle of resentment that comes from expecting others to behave better so you can feel good about yourself.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Stoic duty
The idea that your obligations come from your role or relationship, not from whether you like the situation or the other person deserves it. You're a parent, employee, or friend because of the position you hold, not because everyone else is perfect.
Modern Usage:
When you still show up professionally even though your boss is terrible, or when you help your difficult family member because they're family.
Natural ties
The relationships you're born into or find yourself in - family, community, workplace connections. Epictetus argues these create automatic responsibilities that don't depend on the other person's behavior.
Modern Usage:
The reason you still care about your estranged sibling's wellbeing, or why you feel obligated to help a coworker even when they're not your favorite person.
Conformable to nature
Acting according to your role and values rather than reacting to other people's bad behavior. It means staying true to who you're supposed to be regardless of external chaos.
Modern Usage:
Keeping your professionalism intact even when customers are rude, or maintaining your parenting standards even when you're stressed.
Will
Your power to choose your response and maintain your character. According to Stoics, this is the only thing you truly control and the source of your inner peace.
Modern Usage:
The moment you decide not to sink to someone else's level, or when you choose to respond with dignity instead of matching their energy.
Relations
The various roles you play - parent, child, employee, neighbor, citizen. Each role comes with specific duties that define how you should act in that relationship.
Modern Usage:
How you switch between being a professional at work, a parent at home, and a friend in your social circle, each with different expectations.
Consent to be hurt
The Stoic belief that emotional damage requires your participation. Others can do bad things to you, but you choose whether to let it destroy your peace or compromise your values.
Modern Usage:
When you decide whether to let someone's criticism ruin your day, or whether to take their behavior personally.
Characters in This Chapter
The bad father
Example of difficult family relationship
Represents the challenging people in our lives who still hold important roles. Epictetus uses this example to show that your duty as a child doesn't depend on having a perfect parent.
Modern Equivalent:
The toxic parent you still have to navigate during holidays
The unjust brother
Example of unfair treatment from family
Shows how family members can treat you poorly while you still maintain your own integrity. Used to illustrate that their bad behavior doesn't excuse yours.
Modern Equivalent:
The sibling who always causes drama but is still your sibling
The neighbor
Community relationship example
Represents the broader network of people you interact with daily. Shows that civic duty exists regardless of whether you like your neighbors.
Modern Equivalent:
The annoying neighbor you still help during emergencies
The citizen
Civic responsibility example
Represents your role in society and community. Demonstrates that being a good citizen isn't conditional on having a perfect government or community.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who votes and follows laws even when frustrated with politics
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify what your position actually requires versus what you feel like doing based on how others treat you.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you want to lower your standards because someone else disappointed you—then ask yourself what your role requires, not what they deserve.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Is your natural tie, then, to a good father? No, but to a father."
Context: Explaining why having a difficult parent doesn't change your role as their child
This cuts through the excuse-making we do when relationships are hard. Epictetus argues that your role exists independently of the other person's performance in theirs.
In Today's Words:
Your job isn't to be a good daughter only when you have a good mom - your job is to be a good daughter, period.
"Consider not what he does, but what you are to do to keep your own will in a state conformable to nature."
Context: Advising how to handle an unjust brother or difficult relationship
This is the core of emotional independence - focusing on your own behavior rather than trying to control or react to others. It's about maintaining your integrity regardless of external circumstances.
In Today's Words:
Don't worry about what they're doing wrong - worry about doing your part right.
"Another cannot hurt you unless you please."
Context: Explaining the source of real emotional harm
This challenges the victim mentality by pointing out that while others can do bad things to you, the lasting damage comes from your own response. It's empowering because it puts control back in your hands.
In Today's Words:
People can only mess with your head if you let them.
"You will then be hurt when you consent to be hurt."
Context: Following up on how emotional damage actually works
This explains the mechanism of emotional resilience. Pain happens when you agree to let someone else's actions define your worth or destroy your peace.
In Today's Words:
You get hurt when you decide to take it personally.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Role Integrity
The tendency to lower your own standards when others fail to meet theirs, using their bad behavior as permission to abandon your principles.
Thematic Threads
Personal Responsibility
In This Chapter
Taking ownership of your role regardless of how others perform theirs
Development
Building on earlier themes of focusing on what you control
In Your Life:
You might notice this when you start slacking at work because your coworkers don't pull their weight.
Relationships
In This Chapter
Understanding that your duties in relationships aren't conditional on the other person's behavior
Development
Deepening the concept of how we relate to difficult people
In Your Life:
You might see this in how you treat family members who don't treat you well in return.
Character
In This Chapter
Maintaining your principles even when others abandon theirs
Development
Expanding on the theme of inner strength and moral consistency
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you're tempted to be petty because someone was petty to you first.
Boundaries
In This Chapter
Protecting yourself while still acting according to your values
Development
Introduced here as a way to maintain integrity without becoming a victim
In Your Life:
You might apply this when setting limits with toxic people while still treating them with basic respect.
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following Ellen's story...
Maya had worked double shifts at the nursing home for three years, covering for lazy coworkers and staying late without complaint. When the supervisor position opened, management gave it to the owner's nephew—fresh out of college with zero experience. Her first instinct was to match everyone else's energy: show up exactly at shift time, do only what's required, let the new supervisor figure out his own mistakes. After all, if they don't value dedication, why should she keep giving it? But Maya realized something crucial: the residents in her care had nothing to do with management's poor decision. Her duty as a caregiver existed independent of whether her workplace deserved her best effort. She could protect herself from exploitation while still maintaining the standards that made her proud of her work. The real question wasn't whether they deserved her excellence—it was whether she could live with abandoning the principles that defined who she was as a professional.
The Road
The road Epictetus walked in ancient Rome, Maya walks today in the nursing home. The pattern is identical: maintaining your role integrity regardless of how others perform theirs, refusing to let someone else's poor choices corrupt your character.
The Map
This chapter provides the navigation tool of role clarity—defining what your position requires of you, then fulfilling those duties independent of how others behave. Maya can separate her professional standards from her workplace's dysfunction.
Amplification
Before reading this, Maya might have justified lowering her standards because management didn't appreciate her efforts. Now she can NAME the justified corruption pattern, PREDICT how it leads to a downward spiral for everyone, and NAVIGATE it by maintaining role integrity while protecting herself from exploitation.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
According to Epictetus, what determines your duties in relationships - how the other person treats you, or the role you've chosen to play?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Epictetus argue that abandoning your own standards because someone else abandoned theirs actually hurts you more than their original bad behavior?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen the pattern of 'justified corruption' - people lowering their own standards because others disappointed them first?
application • medium - 4
How could someone maintain their role integrity while still protecting themselves from toxic people or situations?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between controlling your character versus controlling your circumstances?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Role Integrity
Think of a relationship where someone's poor behavior tempts you to lower your own standards. Write down what your role requires of you in that relationship, regardless of how they act. Then identify one specific way you can maintain that standard while still protecting your wellbeing.
Consider:
- •Your standards belong to you, not them - changing them gives them control over your character
- •Setting boundaries and maintaining integrity can happen simultaneously
- •Ask yourself: 'What kind of person do I want to be in this role?' rather than 'What do they deserve?'
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you maintained your standards despite someone else's poor behavior. How did that choice affect your self-respect and the eventual outcome of the situation?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 30: True Faith and False Blame
In the next chapter, you'll discover blaming others for your problems is actually a spiritual issue, and learn to tell the difference between real piety and empty rituals. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.