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January 5
Day 5/365: Epictetus on money and happiness
Welcome to The Stoic Ledger, a daily money meditation from one of the stoic sages.
5/365: Epictetus on money and happiness
“All human beings seek the happy life, but many confuse the means- for example, wealth and status- with that life itself. This misguided focus on the means to a good life makes people get further from the happy life. The really worthwhile things are the virtuous activities that make up the happy life, not the external means that may seem to produce it.” – Epictetus
Money is a facilitator, not a producer, of happiness.
Centering life around acquiring money may provide temporary satisfaction, but often at the expense of meaningful relationships, moving further away from genuine happiness.
Money, while a useful tool, cannot replace the deep intrinsic value of living virtuously. It can provide comfort and security, but excessive focus on wealth risks overshadowing the cultivation of character, wisdom, and purpose.
True happiness stems from aligning our actions with our principles and engaging in fulfilling pursuits, not from the accumulation of material wealth or superficial status.
Epictetus reminds us that confusing money with the essence of a happy life leads to misplaced priorities and, ultimately, dissatisfaction.
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