Quote by Blaise Pascal
Epictetus goes much further when he asks: Why do we not lose our temper if someone tells us that we have a headache, while we do lose it if someone says there is anything wrong with our arguments or our choice?
Summary
This quote by Epictetus highlights the irrationality of our emotional reactions to criticism. Epictetus questions why we can calmly accept that we have a physical ailment like a headache, but become defensive and angered when someone critiques our ideas or decisions. This provocative comparison challenges us to reflect on our emotional responses and implies that we should view criticism objectively rather than react emotionally, in order to cultivate a more rational and resilient mindset.