Enchiridion 40 looks at the idea of seeing women as objects. This is considered by Epictetus as wrong and should not be done as a practice. People should not be treated like this.

Put this in perspective in modern times and this not only applies to women but to everyone. It comes down to self-respect and the respect of others. People who are confident and comfortable in who they are have fulfillment in life. This mindset can cross over and gender, population, demographic etc.

People do not have to be a standard based on what other people want them to be. Look at the value people provide instead of superficial aspects. Recognize that people matter on the basis of who they are. When we trivialize the qualities of others it may be because we do not appreciate ourselves.

When we do not respect and appreciate who we are it’s likely difficult to appreciate other people, and the expectation of how others respect and appreciate us.

Enchiridion 39 looks at what we need as necessary to live a good life. We can live a full life with what satisfies our needs. Going beyond this means trouble.

Do externals make us happy? Having too much can make like difficult.

To many of us, we enjoy a good life. But to live life simply it means strength and it means determination and it means discipline.  With the right mindset it means  knowing how to accomplish things in life and being willing to make sacrifices.

What is the ruling faculty? It is the ability to reason and make choices in life. It is also key to becoming a person of good moral character and integrity. The ruling faculty must be protected and cultivated continuously. 

Is there a role that is determined for us? We can make changes in the roles we want to do. You may take a role you find out you are not suited or qualified for. We have to consider what is the best role for us. 

If we do something we are not good at we may regret it. If you are unhappy in a role you will do a disservice if you continue in it. It may affect your integrity and moral character. Fulfill a role within your control and one that is not. 

This can apply to different aspects of life including career or lifestyle. For example finding a career you were meant to do.   

Finding your true career can be difficult to do. A lot of people end up trying a few different careers before they eventually find the right one. For some, they have more than one true calling that is a combination of areas that they can apply their skill set to. 

Enchiridion 36 examines how we look at concepts and contradictions and conflicts and life. We have mixed emotions when conflicting situations occur. We must work through conflicts in order to find resolution and an outcome.

We cannot have everything in life and must reconcile with the fact that difficulties happen. Things in life are not black and white. We need to respect the opinions and beliefs of others.

Understanding the reasons for  things that are opposed to one another can bring a better life. There are many aspects of life and people that contrast. But knowing this can help set priorities in life. But it takes critical thinking to do this.

Enchiridion 35 shows that we have to see our actions through but not for externals or the gratification of others. If a course of action is wrong do not do it.

We live in a society that constantly tells us what’s wrong with ourselves and what we need to do or obtain in order to be like some better version of ourselves, often resulting in us trying to emulate another person instead of being our authentic selves.

Being our authentic selves requires intentionality and effort, but it results in a happier and more content being that is able to fully show up in life with confidence and pride.

Enchiridion 34 looks at how we handle pleasures in life that we come across. Our impressions of pleasures must be thought through. It is necessary to take a pause before taking action.

Consider if your indulging in pleasures will compromise your moral integrity. But also consider the satisfaction that comes from resisting pleasures.

There’s no getting around temptations. Whichever way you look, you’ll see temptations all around you. And they become even more noticeable when you’ve set out to accomplish something, such as a long-term goal.

Enchiridion 33 looks at how to live your life as a Stoic. It is about having a sort of code of ethics through Stoic philosophy. Some may wonder though if this is relevant today.

In today’s modern world, we don’t tend to think of people as philosophers anymore. Most of us are living are daily lives  rather than seeing the benefits philosophy brings.

The reality is that we need philosophy more than ever. We can’t approach modern challenges as philosophers. It  means that you can benefit from adopting a Stoic mindset.

In Enchiridion 32 the idea of Divination is discussed in this chapter. Put things into context. Epictetus references consulting the gods for orientation in life.

Today we put emphasis on some force beyond us that dictates what is happening. A national poll is supposed to represent what the country feels.

But there are things we can figure out on our own. Putting things in the hands of a higher power takes away responsibility. But In trying to understand something stick to the basics. When you see things realistically  you understand the basics. Look at things beyond your control and understand you do not have influence over this.

Do not bring issues affecting you to someone to interpret. You can turn things you do not understand ot control to good use. Think things through in life. Get feedback from others in cases we we do not know the answers to but use your own judgement in the final outcome.

Use reason in the answers you seek. If you get answers from others that are not clear this may make you upset. Reason takes into account there are things that arise in life we do not understand. But we are able to see things in perspective. There are many things we do not know the answer to.

Enchiridion 31 looks at the relationship with us as humans as something divine as well as with each other. Having a belief in something greater gives us the ability to look at something greater.

Do not use divine aspects as excuses to blame what happens in life. It reminds us to understand what we can and cannot control in life. This provides the perspective of being realistic in life.

Everyone should be free to practice their own beliefs but have pure reasons for doing it and not for ulterior motives. Having belief in something greater than yourself makes you behave in according to your own convictions.