Epictetus points out that genuine growth often requires abandoning conventional measures of success and intelligence, which can make us appear foolish to others. When we stop chasing status, wealth, or popularity and instead focus on developing character and wisdom, others may not understand our choices. This is the price of authentic development - we must be willing to be misunderstood by people who measure success differently. The person pursuing virtue might seem foolish to someone pursuing profit; the person seeking wisdom might seem stupid to someone seeking cleverness. But this apparent foolishness is actually wisdom, and this apparent stupidity is actually intelligence about what matters most. Growth requires courage to be different.