Principle 34 · from the Enchiridion
Pause before giving in
Quick relief can hide a later cost. Pause long enough to consider the likely consequences before following an urge.
Source passage (English)
The passage is shown in English. The explanation and example below are modern interpretations for this site.
If you are struck by the appearance of any promised pleasure, guard yourself against being hurried away by it; but let the affair wait your leisure, and procure yourself some delay. Then bring to your mind both points of time: that in which you will enjoy the pleasure, and that in which you will repent and reproach yourself after you have enjoyed it; and set before you, in opposition to these, how you will be glad and applaud yourself if you abstain. And even though it should appear to you a seasonable gratification, take heed that its enticing, and agreeable and attractive force may not subdue you; but set in opposition to this how much better it is to be conscious of having gained so great a victory.
What this means
Epictetus gives very practical advice for temptation: do not act immediately. In the moment, the quick pleasure is obvious while the later cost is easy to ignore.
Look at both moments: the relief now and the regret that may follow. Then compare them with how you might feel after choosing not to give in.
He is not asking us to reject pleasure. He asks us to consider the consequences before following a desire. It also helps to notice the situations that usually weaken your judgment and decide on a limit before the temptation arrives.
During the pause, consider whether you actually endorse the choice once its consequences are included. A considered pleasure can still be worth choosing. If you repeatedly regret the same decision, change something around the moment of choice, such as removing a prompt or preparing an alternative, rather than relying on willpower alone.
An everyday example
Late at night, you want to send an angry message that could damage a relationship. Pressing send promises a few seconds of relief.
Save the message and sleep first. In the morning, the sentence that felt absolutely necessary at midnight may look much less clever.
Reflection Question
Which temptation most often leaves you with regret? How long could you realistically pause before deciding?