Stockdale on Stoicism 48

Why did those men in "cold soak" after their first rope trip eat their hearts out and feel so unworthy when the first American contacted them? Epictetus knew human nature well. 

In that prison laboratory, I know of not a single case where a man was able to erase his pangs of conscience with some laid-back, pop-psychology theory of cause and effect. 

Epictetus emphasizes time and again the fact that a man who lays the causes of his actions onto third parties or forces is not leveling with himself. He must live with his own judgments if he is to be honest with himself. 

"But if a person subjects me to fear of death, he compels me," says a student. 

"No," says Epictetus, "It is neither death, nor exile, nor toil, nor any such things that is the cause of your doing, or not doing, anything, but only your opinions and the decisions of your Will." 

"What is the fruit of your doctrines?" someone asked Epictetus. 

"Tranquility, fearlessness, and freedom," he answered. 

You can have these only if you are honest and take responsibility for your own actions. You've got to get it straight! You are in charge of you. 

—from James B. Stockdale, Master of My Fate: A Stoic Philosopher in a Hanoi Prison 

IMAGE: Caspar Jacobsz Philips, Various Methods of Torment Employed by the Inquisition (c. 1770)