"One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent"

To aspire toward excellence, one must thoughtfully consider the nature of what is truly excellent. Epictetus invites a shift in perspective from superficial achievement, recognition, or the pursuit of trivial accomplishments toward a more meaningful, purpose-driven life. The drive to excel is universal, but excellence itself is not uniform. Rather than seeking to surpass others in any endeavor, a wise person selects pursuits that are intrinsically valuable and nurturing to the soul and character.

A discerning individual reflects on what it means to be excellent. Is it financial wealth, social status, or public accolades? Or does true excellence reside in the virtuous qualities one can develop: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice? The ancient Stoics, Epictetus included, urge us to look beyond fleeting or hollow goals and recognize that the highest forms of excellence are internal, rooted in the cultivation of character.

Effort is finite; each person has only so much energy and ability to devote to self-improvement. Choosing to focus on things which are already noble and worthy ensures that, even as one strives, the process itself is transformative. When one endeavors to master patience, integrity, or clarity of thought, the journey becomes as valuable as the destination. Success in these arenas does not depend on outward circumstance or validation, but on individual resolve and wisdom.

Furthermore, Epictetus prompts us to measure our ambitions not by the standards of the crowd, but by the eternal ideals of what is best in human nature. To waste one’s striving on lesser goals, on pursuits that do not uplift or refine the spirit, is ultimately to squander life’s promise. Excellence comes from dedicating oneself persistently to those things that are themselves excellent, those pursuits that shape both action and character, resulting in a life truly well-lived.