Stoicism is a way of life that stresses the importance of clearheadedness and mental vigilance. We should always be aware of what we are doing, why we are doing it, and what consequences it may have. This is also what Epictetus points out in the thirty-eight chapter of the Enchiridion.
As in walking you take care not to step on a nail or strain your foot, likewise take care not to damage your mind. And if we pay attention to this in every action, we will engage in the action safely.
Imagine walking barefoot on a rocky road. Sometimes you will come across smooth pebbles and sometimes jagged rocks. To find the best path, you should look at where you’re going and be careful each time you take a step. A similar method is advised to navigate your path in life. Be mindful of where you go and how you go about your life. And most of all: make sure your mind does not get damaged.
When speaking about the mind in this context, Epictetus uses the word ‘hêgemonikon’. In Stoicism, this has a very particular meaning and is often translated as ‘ruling faculty’ . You could say it is your command center, guiding cognitive center, or the part of you that leads all other parts. For humans, it also facilitates our capacity to use reason. The ‘hêgemonikon’ allows us to perceive and make sense of the world, and to choose our own actions in response with rationality and clarity.
Because the ‘hêgemonikon’ is so important, it is not surprising that Epictetus advises us to guard it carefully. We should make sure we don’t lose our mind. After all, if we lose or mind, we also lose the capacity to act in accordance with nature, and our chances of reaching eudaimonia (flourishing and happiness) would suddenly be very small. So, don’t just watch your step. Watch your mind as well.