13. Name the Trade You Are Making

To grow in one direction, you have to accept losing ground in another. Epictetus names the trade.

If you want to make progress, be willing to seem foolish and slow about outside things. Do not wish to be thought clever.

Even if others take you for someone important, distrust yourself.

You cannot easily keep your power of choice in line with nature while also keeping a firm grip on outside things. If you give care to the one, you will have to neglect the other.

What this means. You cannot be deep inside and impressive outside at the same time. Pick the one that matters more.