Simplicius, Commentary on Epictetus 1.7

. . . But our bodies, possessions, reputations, preferments, and places of honor and authority, and in short, everything besides our own actions, are things out of our own power. 

Comment: 

The reason, why these are said to be out of our own power and disposal, is not because the mind has no part in them, or contributes nothing towards them; for it is plain, that both our bodies and our estates, are put into a better or a worse condition, in proportion to that provident care the soul takes of them, or the neglect she is guilty of with regard to them. 

The soul does also furnish occasions for the acquiring credit and fame, and by her diligence and wisdom it is, that we attain to posts of greatness and government. For indeed there could be no such thing as the exercise of authority, especially as the world goes now, without the choice and consent of the soul. 

But, because these things are not totally at her disposal, and she is not the sole and absolute mistress of them, but must be beholden to the favorable concurrence of several other things, to compass them; therefore they are said not be in our own power. 

Thus the body requires sound seminal principles, and a strong constitution, convenient diet, and moderate exercise, a wholesome dwelling, a good air, and sweet water, and strength, and ability to perform the functions of nature, will depend upon all these. 

And yet these are all of them things so far out of our own reach, that we can neither bestow them upon ourselves, nor keep off the contrary inconveniences, when we would. When a more potent enemy rushes in and assaults us, we would be glad to lie undiscovered, but cannot make ourselves invisible. When we are sick, we desire a speedy recovery, and yet our wishes do not bring it to pass. 

The case is the same with our wealth and possessions too; for these are owing to a world of fortunate accidents, that contribute to our getting them and to as many unfortunate accidents, that conspire to deprive us of them; accidents too mighty for us to struggle with, or to prevent. 

Reputation and fame, are no more in our power, than riches: for, though by the management of ourselves, we give the occasions of esteem or disesteem; yet still the opinion is not ours, but theirs, that entertain it; and, when we have done all we can, we lie at their mercy, to think what they please of us. 

Hence it comes to pass, that some, who are profane and irreligious men at the bottom, gain the character of piety and virtue, and impose, not upon others only, but sometimes upon themselves too, with a false appearance of religion. 

And yet on the other hand, others who have no notions of a deity, but what are highly reverent and becoming, that never charge God with any of our frailties or imperfections, or behave themselves like men that think so of him, are mistaken by some people for infidels and atheists. 

And thus the reserved and temperate conversation, is despised and traduced by some, for mere senselessness and stupidity. So that the being well esteemed of is by no means in our own power, but depends upon the pleasure of those, that think well or ill of us. 

Posts or authority and government cannot subsist, without inferiors to be governed, and subordinate offices to assist in governing them: and particularly in such states, as allow places to be bought and sold, and make preferment the price, not of merit, but money; there a man, that wants a purse, cannot rise, though he would never so fain. 

For whence we conclude, that all things of this nature are not in our own power, because they are not our works, nor such as follow upon our choice of them. 

I only add one remark more here, which is, that of all the things said to be out of our power, the body is first mentioned; and that for this very good reason, because the wants of this expose us to all the rest. For money is at the bottom of all wars and contentions; and this we cannot be without; but must seek it, in order to the providing convenient food, and raiment, and supplying the necessities of the body.