The Two Handles For Life: Epictetus 31-53

In the thirty-first point of Epictetus’ Handbook, I agree with him and once again, think this is an important model to apply to all communities. However I notice a change from the previous "way of living your life" topic, to "religion in your life and how you should manage it". This change is somehow like saying God(s) rule destiny and you shouldn't fight it but accept it because it's their choice and therefore it's the wisest choice that can be made. I wish I could apply some of the stoic views in life because something that this handbook lacks is the procedure to follow so that one can reach such views it preaches.

I thought it was interesting how times can change someone's perspective. For example in the thirty-second clause it recognizes fortune telling as something acceptable and normal. Nowadays, if we thought of writing a Handbook for living our lifes we wouldn't include fortunetelling or nothing related to it in a idillic life. In point thirty-two, Epictetus portraits how to be a discrete person. His advices make me remember Don Quijote's advices to Sancho when Sancho was going to recieve his own "island". In Epictetu's thirty-fourth point he just reinforces the importance of being prudent and dicrete when making decisions. I agree totally with this point since it portrays temptation how we know it now-a-days and it remembers us not to fall on it never.

The thirty-fifth point, is the most important to me and the one that I agree most with. I believe that when you are doing something and you know it's the right thing to do, you shouldn't doubt or hide your actions. You should do them as solemnly and as trasparently as you would eat breakfast or sleep. Because there is no shame in doing the right thing even if it seems wrong at that point because after everyone has understood that it was right they won't judge you.

Another point that was very important to me was point forty-two which states that everything has two handles, one by which it can be carried and one by which it can't. According to Epictetus everything depends of the perspective on which you take it from. If you chose to see life as tough, unfair and awfull that's what your life will become, but if instead you see life as a good thing focusing only in the good moments as Vonnegut said, you will be able to live a happy and joyfull life. Once again the optimism towards life is shown throughout the last part of Epictetus’s Handbook .