Epictetus describes the emotional stability that comes from being anchored in objective truth rather than subjective opinion. When we know who we are, what we value, and what we're trying to accomplish, other people's judgments - whether critical or complimentary - lose their power to disturb our equilibrium. We can receive feedback without being destabilized by it, learning from valid points while ignoring invalid ones. This isn't about arrogance or indifference but about having such a solid foundation in reality that external opinions become information rather than verdicts on our worth.