Epictetus frequently quoted Socrates, and this represents one of the most foundational principles of both Socratic and Stoic philosophy. It argues that the unique capacity of human beings is to reflect deeply on their own lives, actions, beliefs, and motivations. To live without this rigorous self-examination is to live a life less than fully human - driven by unconscious habits, social conditioning, and instinct rather than conscious reason and deliberate choice. The examined life requires us to regularly question our assumptions, evaluate our character, learn from our mistakes, and strive for wisdom and virtue. It means being brutally honest about our flaws, acknowledging our ignorance, and continuously working to align our actions with our highest principles. Only through this painful but necessary process of self-scrutiny can we achieve authentic self-knowledge and live with genuine purpose.