Finally, Epictetus’s line invites intentional construction: seek people whose lives embody what you are trying to become. This might look like a mentor who is calm under pressure, a friend who speaks truth without cruelty, or a community where disciplined effort is normal. Even brief, regular contact can recalibrate your standards, much like training with stronger athletes raises your pace.
In practice, you can cultivate this by joining groups organized around craft, service, or learning, where virtue has a visible form—reliability, humility, generosity. Over time, the “best self” Epictetus describes becomes less a rare peak and more a familiar baseline, supported by the company you choose. [...]
