Principle 22 · from the Enchiridion
Stay steady under ridicule
A useful habit may attract teasing. Review your reasons, stay open to feedback, and keep practicing without needing to prove yourself superior.
Source passage (English)
The passage is shown in English. The explanation and example below are modern interpretations for this site.
If you have an earnest desire of attaining to philosophy, prepare yourself from the very first to be laughed at, to be sneered by the multitude, to hear them say, "He is returned to us a philosopher all at once," and "Whence this supercilious look?" Now, for your part, don't have a supercilious look indeed; but keep steadily to those things which appear best to you as one appointed by God to this station. For remember that, if you adhere to the same point, those very persons who at first ridiculed will afterwards admire you. But if you are conquered by them, you will incur a double ridicule.
What this means
When you start changing a habit, other people may tease you or act as though you are trying to be better than everyone else. You cannot make them understand your reasons.
Epictetus does not suggest answering with an air of superiority. Stay humble and continue the practice without giving a speech about it. Progress shows up in what you do over time, not in how wise you manage to look.
It helps to distinguish mockery from useful criticism. Someone may dislike a change because it affects an old routine, or they may point out a real problem with how you are behaving. Check the substance of what they say. Steadiness includes correcting a mistake when the criticism is fair.
An everyday example
You stop joining in with gossip and begin keeping healthier boundaries. A few friends call you "too serious." You do not need to lecture them in return. Answer lightly if you want, then keep the habit you believe is good.
Reflection Question
What good habit have you dropped because you were afraid of looking strange to other people?