Associate with those who will make a better man of you. Welcome those whom you yourself can improve. The process is mutual; for men learn while they teach.

Epictetus was a former slave turned Stoic philosopher who taught that freedom begins with self-control and clarity of thought. His Enchiridion—Greek for “handbook”—was a guide to living with reason and integrity.

This passage is a reminder that your environment trains your character as much as your choices do. The people you spend time with either sharpen or dull your standards. Stoicism isn’t isolation; it’s selective association. Being around people who challenge you, question you, and model discipline keeps your values alive.

It’s not about surrounding yourself with praise—it’s about surrounding yourself with honesty.