28. Guard the Mind as You Guard the Body

If you guard your body against strangers, Epictetus asks, why would you not guard your mind the same way?

If a person had handed your body over to anyone he met in his way, you would surely be angry.

Do you feel no shame, then, in handing over your own mind to be upset and thrown off course by anyone who happens to speak to you in an unpleasant way?

What this means. Your mind is more yours than your body is. Do not let a rude stranger take the wheel of it.