Discourses and Selected Writings
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- Author：Epictetus
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Summary
A new translation of the influential teachings of the great Stoic philosopher
DESPITE BEING BORN into slavery， Greco-Roman philosopher Epictetus became one of the most influential thinkers of his time。 Discourses and Selected Writings is a transcribed collection of informal lectures given by the philosopher around AD 108。 A gateway into the life and mind of a great intellectual， it is also an important example of the usage of Koine or ？common？ Greek， an ancestor to Standard Modern Greek。
DESPITE BEING BORN into slavery， Greco-Roman philosopher Epictetus became one of the most influential thinkers of his time。 Discourses and Selected Writings is a transcribed collection of informal lectures given by the philosopher around AD 108。 A gateway into the life and mind of a great intellectual， it is also an important example of the usage of Koine or ？common？ Greek， an ancestor to Standard Modern Greek。
Reviews
Hari
，
Epictetus is epic。 I love his writing and trying to practice stoicism after reading Seneca and him。 I finally found a practical philosophy that I like。
Marty
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After reading Marcus， Seneca and Epictetus， this is the best work of the stoics。
Enrico
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The Enchiridion is probably the best book that was ever written and so it is no surprise that his Discourses are very good too。 They are a bit repetitive， because they're lectures。 This is good to internalize the teachings。 The Enchiridion is probably the best book that was ever written and so it is no surprise that his Discourses are very good too。 They are a bit repetitive， because they're lectures。 This is good to internalize the teachings。 。。。more
Bruno
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Can be a bit repetitive， but it is expected as this is a collection of lectures by Epictetus， since he did not leave any writings of his own。 A great book nonetheless。I do consider this a must read for those interested in Stoicism and also recommend it to everyone who is looking to have a more peaceful mindset。In his lectures， Epictetus teaches us his way of attaining true freedom and peace: we should not mind anything that is out of our control and only be concerned by what is under our control Can be a bit repetitive， but it is expected as this is a collection of lectures by Epictetus， since he did not leave any writings of his own。 A great book nonetheless。I do consider this a must read for those interested in Stoicism and also recommend it to everyone who is looking to have a more peaceful mindset。In his lectures， Epictetus teaches us his way of attaining true freedom and peace: we should not mind anything that is out of our control and only be concerned by what is under our control。And what is under our control？ Our will， our actions， our perceptions - this is where we should focus our energy to improve upon。 Anything other than that we should not regard as our own and view them as only being with us temporarily， prepared to lose them at all times。Also， it is heavily reinforced that if we do depend on externals， the ones that are not under our control， we will be slaves of the ones that do have it under their power。 Finally， Epictetus states that no external is inherently good， or bad， and we should embrace destiny， instead of fighting， or trying to control it。 。。。more
Shyam
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This is my work， and I accomplish it， and I will never abandon my post for as long as it is granted to me to remain in it; and I invite all of you to join me 。 。 。 （1。16。21）And then people say， ‘Nobody’s any the better for attending a philosopher’s school。’ Well， who goes to the school， I ask you， with the intention of attaining a cure？ Who goes there to submit his judgements to purification; who goes there to become fully aware of what he stands in need of？ Why are you surprised， then， if yo This is my work， and I accomplish it， and I will never abandon my post for as long as it is granted to me to remain in it; and I invite all of you to join me 。 。 。 （1。16。21）And then people say， ‘Nobody’s any the better for attending a philosopher’s school。’ Well， who goes to the school， I ask you， with the intention of attaining a cure？ Who goes there to submit his judgements to purification; who goes there to become fully aware of what he stands in need of？ Why are you surprised， then， if you go away again with the very same thoughts that you brought when you arrived here？ The fact is that you didn’t come here to lay them aside， or correct them， or exchange them for others。 Oh no， far from it。 （2。21。15-16） 。 。 。 Beyond that， I’m not sure what else I can say to you; for if I say what I think， I’ll offend you 。 。 。 （3。1。10）As for you， you may possess goldware， but your reason， your judgements， your assents， your motives， your desires， are earthenware one and all。 （3。9。18）May I be thinking such thoughts， writing such thoughts， reading such thoughts， when death overtakes me。 （3。5。11）Most of us fear the deadening of the body and would resort to every means to avoid falling into such a state， but when it comes to the deadening of the soul， we’re not in the least concerned。 （1。5。4）__________If you didn’t learn these things so as to be able to put them into practice， why did you learn them in the first place？ （1。29。35）But we devote no effort to any of this， we pay no attention to it。 （2。16。15）There are three things that make up human beings: mind， body， and external things。 So all that remains for you to do is to answer the question， which is the best？ （3。7。2）Aren’t you willing to put aside these things that don’t concern you？ （3。2。16）I don’t give way to anger， distress， or envy; I’m free from hindrance and constraint。 What is left for me to do？ I have leisure， I have peace of mind。 （3。2。16）‘I’m superior to you because my father is of consular rank。’ Another says， ‘I’ve been a tribune and you haven’t’。 If we were horses， would you say， ‘I have lots of barley and fodder’， or， ‘I have lovely trappings’？ （3。14。11）It is to confront this that you must train yourself， and it is towards that end that all your reasonings， all your studies， and all your readings should be directed， and then you’ll recognise that is is in this way alone that human beings can attain freedom。 （3。26。38-39）When we’re invited to a banquet， we take whatever is served， and if anyone should ask his host to serve him with fish or cakes， he would be thought eccentric; and yet in the wider world， we ask the gods for things that they don’t give us， irrespective of the many things that they have actually given us。 （Fr。 17）Someone who associates regularly with certain people， for conversation， or for parties， or simply for the sake of sociability， is bound either to come to resemble them or else to convert them to his own way of life。 For if you place a dead coal beside a live coal， either the former will extinguish the latter， or the latter will set the former alight。 （3。16。1-2）What is your own， then？ The proper use of impressions。 He showed me that I possess that power free from all hindrance and constraint; no one can obstruct me; no one can force me to deal with impressions other than I wish。 （3。24。69）If this is what you want， you’ll have it everywhere， and you’ll live with full confidence。 Confidence in what？ In the only thing in which one can properly have confidence， in that which is reliable， that which is immune to hindrance， that which can never be taken away， that is to say， your own moral choice。 （3。26。24）Remember this， that if you attach value to anything at all that lies outside the sphere of choice， you’ve destroyed your choice。 （4。4。23）__________If you keep these thoughts constantly at hand， and reflect on them constantly within your own mind to make them ready for use， you’ll never have need of anyone else to encourage you or strengthen your resolve 。 。 。 Only， don’t make a parade of it， don’t boast about it， but demonstrate it through your actions; and even if no one notices， be content that you yourself are of sound mind and are living a happy life。 （3。24。115，118）Keeping these principles in mind， rejoice in what you have and be content with that the moment brings。 （4。4。45）If you’re nourished by thoughts such as these， what need do you have to enquire any longer as to where you are to find happiness？ （4。4。48）When someone has come to understand these things， what is to prevent him from living with a light heart and easy mind， calmly awaiting whatever may happen， and putting up with what has already happened。 （4。7。12）What is to prevent you from turning your attention to [these matters]， and busying yourself with them？ Who is better provided the you with books， and leisure， and people to help you？ Only turn your mind at last to these matters， and devote just a little time to your ruling centre。 Consider what this is that you possess， and where it has come from， this faculty that makes use of everything else， and tests it out， and selects and rejects。 But as long as you devote your concern to external things， you’ll own more of those than anyone else， but you’ll have the ruling part of you just as you want it， filthy and neglected。 （4。7。39-41）Let’s just make a start， and believe me， you’ll see。 （2。19。34）Have a try at least; there is no shame in trying。 （4。1。177） __________What are we to do， then？ To make the best of what lies within our power， and deal with everything else as it comes。 （1。1。17）‘Yes， but that would be beneath me。’ It is for you to take that further point into consideration， not me， since you’re the one who knows yourself， and knows what value you set on yourself， and at what price you’ll sell yourself; for different people sell themselves at different pries。 （1。2。11）Only， consider what what price you’re willing to sell your power of choice。 If nothing else， make sure， man， that you don’t sell it cheap。 （1。2。33）‘For what am I？ A poor wretched man，’ they say， or ‘This miserable flesh of mine’。 Miserable， to be sure， but you also have something better in you than that poor flesh why do you neglect that， then， and attach yourself to what is mortal？ （1。3。5-6）For it is indeed pointless and foolish to seek to get from another what one can get from oneself。 （1。9。31）。 。 。 declared from now on， he would concern himself with nothing other than living the rest of his life in peace and calm。 （1。10。2）—That’s how all fathers feel， or at least most do。—I don’t dispute that， said Epictetus， but the point at issue between us is whether it’s right to feel like that。 For in that case， one would have to say that tumours develop for the good of the body just because they do in fact develop， and， in a word， that to fall into error is natural just because almost all of us， or at least most of us， do fall into error。 （1。11。6-7）Can anyone prevent you from assenting to the truth？ No one at all。 Can anyone constrain you to accept what is false？ No one at all。 do you see that， in this area， you have a power of choice that is immune from hindrance， constraint， and obstruction？ Well then， are things any different in the sphere of desire and motivation？ What can overpower a motive except another motive， and that alone？ And what can overpower a desire or aversion except another desire or aversion？—But what if someone threatens me with death， someone says， for he is constraining me then。No， it isn’t what you’re threatened with that compels you， but your own judgement that it is better to do this or that than to die。 So once again， it is your judgement that has constrained you， or in other words， your choice has constrained itself。 （1。17。22-26）If you wish it， you are free。 （1。17。28）This man who has fallen into error and is mistaken about the most important matters， and thus has gone blind， not with regard to the eyesight that distinguishes white from black， but with regard to the judgement that distinguishes good from bad—should someone like this be put to death？’ If you put the question in that way， you’ll recognise the inhumanity of the thought that you’re expressing， and see the is is equivalent to saying， ‘Should this blind man， then， or that deaf one， be put to death？’ For if the greatest harm that a person can suffer is the loss of the most valuable goods， and the most valuable thing that anyone can possess is correct choice， then if someone is deprived of that， what reason is left for you to be angry with him？ （1。18。6-8）I’m not saying that you shouldn’t groan at such things， but that you shouldn’t groan in your inmost self。 （1。18。19）Anyone who has any sense won’t engage in public affairs， because he knows what a man in public life has to do。 （1。23。6）Impressions come to us in four ways。 Either things are， and appear so to be or else they are not， and do not appear to be; or else they are， and do not appear to be; or else they are not， and yet appear to be。 It is thus the task of an educated person to hit the mark in each case。 （1。27。1-2）A judgement can only overpower itself， and cannot be overpowered by another person。 And nothing can overpower our choice， apart from choice itself。 （1。29。12）—Ten men are stronger than one， someone says—In what respect？ In throwing people into chains， taking their life， dragging them off wherever they want， stripping them of their property。 Yes， ten men can assuredly prevail over on sin that in which they are stronger！—In what， then， are they weaker？—If the one person has correct judgements， and the other’s don’t。 （1。29。14-15）But with regard to what is not [your] own， never apply the words good or bad， and benefit or harm， and any other word of that kind。 （2。5。5）How can one say， then， that some externals are in accordance with nature， and others contrary to it？ It is as if we are asking the question in isolation。 Thus， I will say that it is natural for the foot to be clean， taken in isolation， but if you consider it as a foot and not in isolation， it will be appropriate for it also to step into mud， and trample on thorns， and sometimes even to be cut off for the sake of the body as a whole; for otherwise， it will no longer be a foot。 We should think in some such way about ourselves also。 What are you？ A human being。 Now， if you consider yourself in isolation， it is natural for you to live to an advanced age， to be rich， and to enjoy good health; but if you consider yourself as a human being and as part of some whole， it may be in the interest of the whole that you should now fall ill， now embark on a voyage and be exposed to danger， now suffer poverty， and perhaps even die before your time。 Why do you resent this， then？ （2。5。24-26）If you were to lose your knowledge of grammar and music， you’d regard that loss as being damaging; and yet if you lose your sense of shame， and dignity， and kindliness， you count that as being of no importance？ （2。10。15）Why should you be surprised， then， that you excel in the areas in which you have practiced， while you remain exactly the same in those in which you haven’t？ （2。16。4）We too experience something of this kind。 What do we admire？ Externals。 What do we make the prime object of our concern？ Externals。 And then we’re unable to grasp how it is that we fall prey to fear， or fall prey to anxiety。 （2。16。11）You’ll always be seeking your happiness in things outside yourself， without ever being able to find it; for you’re looking for happiness where it is not to be found， and are failing to search for it where it actually lies。 （2。16。47）In general， then， if you want to do something， make a habit of doing it; and if you don’t want to do something， don’t do it， but get into the habit of doing something else instead。 The same also applies to states of mind。 （2。18。4）If you’re defeated on one occasion and say that you’ll win at some future time， and then allow yourself to be defeated again， you can be sure that you’ll finally find yourself in such a wretched and feeble state that， in due course， you won’t even be aware that you’re acting wrongly， but will begin to put forward arguments to justify your behaviour; at which point， you’ll be confirming the truth of Hesiod’s saying that ‘One who delays his work is always wrestling with ruin。’ （Works and Days， 413） （2。18。31）And being of bad character， you’ll do everything else badly。 （3。5。3）—What do I have need of， then？—What you don’t have at present， stability， a mind in accord with nature， and freedom from agitation。 （3。9。17）Let not sleep descend on your weary eyesBefore having reviewed every action of the day。Where did I go wrong？ What did I do？ What duty leave undone？Starting here， review your actions， and afterwards，Blame yourself for what is badly done， and rejoice in the good。We should keep these verses at hand and put them to practical use， and not merely use them by way of exclamation。 （3。10。2-4）They’re unable to conceive how a person can live on his own， starting our as they do from this fact of nature， that human beings are naturally sociable， and have natural affection， and take you in associating with one another。 But we ought to prepare ourselves nonetheless to be able to be self-sufficient， and to be able to live with ourselves， and even as Zeus lives with himself， is at peace with himself， and reflects on the nature of his own rule， and occupies himself with thoughts that are worthy of him， so we too should be able to converse with ourselves， and know how to do without others， and not be at a loss about how to occupy ourselves。 （3。13。5-7）There are some actions that are performed for their inherent value; others that are occasioned by circumstances; others that are performed for purposes of practical management， or to accommodate others， or in pursuit of our own plans。 （3。14。7）In each action that you undertake， consider what comes before and what follows after， and only then proceed to the action itself。 Otherwise you’ll set about it with enthusiasm because you’ve never given any thought to the consequences that will follow， and then you’ll give up in an ignominious fashion when one or another of them makes its appearance。 （3。15。1）So even when we’re grown up， we have the appearance of being children。 For it is a child’s part to be uncultivated in matters of culture， to be unlettered in matters of literature， and to be uneducated in life。 （3。19。6）Don’t you know that over a long stretch of time， many things of every kind are bound to occur？ （3。24。28） 。。。more
Joe Bate
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As someone just dipping my feet into the philosophy of the Stoics （and indeed， philosophy itself）， this was a book that I had to spend some time thinking about after I finished it。I found this book enlightening and， dare I say， enjoyable to read （for Epictetus himself says that， "The philosopher's lecture room is a 'hospital': you ought not to walk out of it in a state of pleasure， but in pain; for you are not in good condition when you arrive。"It had ideas I found challenging to accept even tho As someone just dipping my feet into the philosophy of the Stoics （and indeed， philosophy itself）， this was a book that I had to spend some time thinking about after I finished it。I found this book enlightening and， dare I say， enjoyable to read （for Epictetus himself says that， "The philosopher's lecture room is a 'hospital': you ought not to walk out of it in a state of pleasure， but in pain; for you are not in good condition when you arrive。"It had ideas I found challenging to accept even though they are quite logical; this collection of Epictetus' lectures has left me with much to think about， and as such I think it has succeeded in it's motives。 It has been a great introduction into this school of philosophy， and I now realise I have much more to learn regarding my own thoughts about life and that I should continue to challenge them。 。。。more
Andrew
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Very EPICtetus
Alex
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Favourite parts:Introduction:*capacity to achieve happyness is up to us*Refs to Cicero books， e。g。 On ends， On Duties*What matters for humans is to move towards their goals “in the right way” （with virtue）*Ref。 to Annas: Morality of happiness*aim to benefit others*personal and social behavior are mutually supporting*don’t pursue logic for its own sake， but for ethical development*Stoicism applied in psychotherapy （reflection of values， life-choices and beliefs）Book 11。2:-don’t cease to make effo Favourite parts:Introduction:*capacity to achieve happyness is up to us*Refs to Cicero books， e。g。 On ends， On Duties*What matters for humans is to move towards their goals “in the right way” （with virtue）*Ref。 to Annas: Morality of happiness*aim to benefit others*personal and social behavior are mutually supporting*don’t pursue logic for its own sake， but for ethical development*Stoicism applied in psychotherapy （reflection of values， life-choices and beliefs）Book 11。2:-don’t cease to make efforts even you can’t achieve perfection1。3:-you have something better in you than flesh。 Don’t neglect it。1。4:-aim for virtue， it helps many aims （happiness， freedom from passion）1。4:-study to rid your life of distress and lamentation1。6:-aim to attain your natural proper end。-it is shameful to be like irrational animals-don’t die without having contemplated to get in harmony with nature-you are endowed with greatness of soul， courage and endurance-We have the faculty to endure。 It is completely in our power to do so， without restraint。1。8:-With new capacities， don’t become conceited and presumptuous。1。9:-Why envy？ What can a powerful person with great possessions do to us。-No one suffers misfortune because of the actions of another。1。12:-True education is learning to wish that everything should come about just as it does。-Don’t aim to change the existing order of things。-Accept everything with contentment。-Accept。 Whenever someone is in a place against his will， it is a prison for him。-Give thanks to get challenged。 You can rise above and be accountable only for what is in your control。1。14-You are not alone。 God is within you， and your guardian spirit too。-Never disobey or complain about what has been granted to you by God1。15-Owning of land， health， good reputation are external。1。16-Thank God for the power to understand1。18-Pity rather than hate another person’s misfortunes。-People can not chain or cut your power of choice。1。19-Go ahead， chain me。 I don’t care。-Be thankful if you reach the right desires or motives。-“My name will remain。” Carve it on a stone and it will remain as well。1。22-moral choice and actions are in your power。 But not our body。-What business do I have with God if he doesn’t help me？ This is not where the good lies。1。24-It is difficulties that reveal what men amount to。-Don’t be moaning。 Like a child say “I won’t play any longer。”1。25-Attach value to your body = become a slave。1。26-Don’t go for the big book if you can’t handle a simple story。1。27-The origin of passion is to wish for something impossible。1。28-Don’t be angry with others， nobody willingly assents to falsehood。-The present impression is the measure of every action – whether well or badly formed。-If intelligence， fidelity and intelligence are unimpaired， no harm is done。-We act random when it comes to important decisions， like acting rightly or not， being unfortunate or fortunate。1。29-Our own good is determined by how we deal with externals。-If you want something good， get it for yourself。-Don’t oppose kings on areas subject to their authority。-The thief of the lamp paid a high price （becoming a thief， a beast）。-When you can not change someone’s view， realize he is a child and clap as he does。-Why learn things/arguments you can not put into practice/actions？-Focus on the things you do: listening， watching， building， contemplating-Free yourself from things that make a master terrifying。Book 2:2。1- confidence does not conflict with caution-outside the sphere of influence: confidence; inside: caution-We fail if we transform confidence into recklessness and natural caution into cowardice。-The finest: peace of mind， fearlessness， freedom。-Let it be thought that you’re a nobody。-Face challenges （including death） with confidence， trusting the one who has called you and judged you worthy。2。2-Desire and aversion are in my power。 What is there to worry？-Master is， who has authority over what you fear。2。5-Preserve firmness and calmness of mind and at the same time attentiveness against action。2。6-It would be a curse， never to die。 Like not coming to ripeness， not being harvested。-Better to fail in action than failing to try。 （a wife sending provisions to her husband in exile）2。8-God is intelligence， knowledge， reason。 There is the true nature of good。-Don’t boast。 Quietly polish the statue。-Die and endure disease in a god-like way。2。9-Don’t be contented to learn， but train and put it into practice。2。10-No one becomes bad without taking damage。-Shall I take revenge = Shall I injure myself？2。11-starting point of philosophy: recognition that people have conflicting opinions， reject mere opinions， question-Examine questions from clearly defined principles。2。12-Don’t use technical terms in arguments， you can not reach other people with it。 2。14-Practicing （music， craft， anything） is unpleasant， but the result is art and joy。-understand the Gods and try to resemble them as far as possible2。16-we understand bad consequences in theory but are shipwrecked in practical action-lack of practice/action makes difficulties greater than they are-dare to rise up your eyes to God and say “Use me as you will from this time onward”。-Cast fear and distress from your mind， also desire， envy， pity， jealousy， fear， malice， avarice， effeminacy and intemperance2。17-Do you desire what is possible for yourself？-How can you claim proper education if you lament every day？2。18-Reenforcement: Every good/bad habit is strengthened by corresponding action。 -If you don’t want to be bad-tempered， don’t feed it。 Count the days you managed to stay calm。-Don’t imagine bad outcomes and that follows。 Instead， introduce fine and noble impressions and cast out the impure ones。-One who delays his work is always wrestling with ruin。2。19-Don’t just copy ideas， judge yourself。2。21-People confess to involuntary faults2。22-The ruling center of a bad man can’t be trusted， it is unstable。2。23-What can hinder your choices？ Nothing outside the sphere of choice。-You haven’t come into the world to pick out the prettiest places， but live where you were born。-Technical capabilities （analyzing syllogisms， understanding things in theory） have no inherent value。2。24-Some have a desire to speak when a listener appears。Book 33。3-“My brother gets the greater share of land。” Let him have what he wants。 He won’t be taking away your decency， loyalty， or love。-We gaze open-mouthed at every impression and only in the schoolroom wake up a little。 （Put concepts into practice instead）3。7-Do as God ordained， or suffer injury， destroying the man of good faith， honor， moderation in you。3。9-Your desire is insatiable， mine is already fulfilled。 Let it drop and you’ll get what you want。3。10-Guide events and don’t fight things。 Let them come as they are。3。11-in all social relations， we have God the overseer of them all （act properly and morally right， as if always watched）3。12-practice for internal goals， not for display （that is turning to external things）3。13-Be able to live with yourself。 -Convert others not with empty talk， but by example。3。14 -Don’t show off your self control （abstinence， discipline， 。。。）， that is ridiculous。-Some actions are performed for their inherent value3。15-Strive for competition only if aware of the futileness your efforts may have。-Don’t change your goals every day。 3。16-You become who you socialize with。-Stay away from discussions if your opinions change all the time。 Leave your homeland to form them。3。18-News are never within our sphere of choice。3。21-Do the right thing， and do things right， don’t just talk about it。-If philosophy is fascinating: sit down， reflect on it， but done call yourself philosopher。 （Quietly enjoy， don’t fake）3。22-Cynics don’t fight。 They let go of a weak body， focus on their choices， don’t show over-hasty assent， impulse， desire， meanness， envy。3。23-Don’t read and discuss for mere display-“If you find time to praise me， I’m saying nothing of value”-Many people look for happiness， but not where it is to be found。3。24-Don’t become attached to things outside your power。-Reason is not granted to us for our misfortune and unhappiness， that we may pass our lives in perpetual misery and lamentation。-You’re happy if you possess all that you want。-You and your loved ones will pass away。 Everything that comes into being is bound to perish。 No human can live with another for ever。-If you worry about things outside your sphere of choice， you contest against God。 The penalty is worry， trembling at every message and bad sleep。-Life is a long campaign with varying circumstances。 Fulfill your role as a dutiful soldier。-Virtuous and good people don’t act for appearances but only for the sake of acting rightly。-Socrates loved his children， but a free man。 His first duty is to be a friend to the gods。-Don’t get unduly upset at losses。 Don’t get attached to things without realizing they could leave any time。-Don’t seek for what is good for you outside yourself， seek it within you。-“Bad” things happen， because Zeus/God is training me， and appoints me for such a service。-See yourself as God’s servant。 It brings freedom from fear and distress， destroys envy and other bad feelings。3。25-You may fail to achieve what you have proposed for yourself-Learn to take blows。3。26-The bare essentials are sufficient。 You don’t “need” more。 And “suffering” is not shameful。-Learn the purpose of your actions。 You otherwise pay the penalty if that is neglected。 -Don’t whine about insufficient luxury。 You are not an invalid。 Most slaves live simple but healthy。-When the time comes， withdraw， as ordered by your general （God）， while singing hymns in praise of his works。-Trust in your own strength， your judgments。 They make you free to look into the faces of the rich or the despots with unaverted gaze。-For man the sour of evil， meanness and cowardice is not death itself， but the fear of death。Book 4:4。1-A tame lion in cages is fed， taken around but not free。-If we care about externals， people with power over them will be our masters， we’ll even see them as divine。-For a good life， we need “knowledge of the art of living”， as in other crafts。-Your body is not your own。 It is like a poor overburdened donkey， that could break down。-Grumblers lament about everything handed to them， even the powers they have for opposite use （greatness， nobility， courage）。-During training， consider yourself a slave on the way to emancipation。-Don’t forget the purpose and habits learned in the schoolroom， apply them outside。-Try to preserve things beyond your body: trustworthy character， be a man of honour-High worldly goals are of no value to those who acquired them， but this is only understood after achieving them。-Freedom is not attained through satisfaction of desires， but suppression of them。4。2-Change to a more virtuous path may lose your friends （e。g。 no more joint gossiping）。 Choose clearly if you keep associating or not， otherwise you’ll incur a double penalty。4。3-Career and other achievements is a trade-off。 Choose， safeguard your good in all you do and take the rest as granted。4。4-Read for happiness （vs。 pure entertainment or random knowledge）。-Stay free from emotion。 Make yourself a spectator rather than a spectacle。-Reading， training is just preparation for life。-Instead of just counting lines/books， look what you have learned/gained （motives， handling desires and aversion）-Attach value to anything outside your sphere of choice destroys your choice。 Renouncing these claims is the only path to happiness。-Change to a perspective for any external circumstances: crowd = games/festival， alone = peace/quit。-Every day is a festival if you conduct yourself well in the actions required from you。4。6-You can be poor but happy。 But don’t make a show of it。-Don’t think about other opinions。 If you worry what others think/say about you not achieving indifferent goals （e。g。 possessions） you are not truly convinced yet about your purposes。4。8-No hasty judgment about others aptitude。 Never praise or criticize things that could be good or bad。-Conceal your efforts for virtue or at least don’t show off。 I eat proper for myself， I keep composure for myself （and God）。-No need to kill someone for your own missteps。 Condemn your actions， but don’t give yourself up。 If you’ve given in on one occasion， don’t surrender yourself completely。 Come back on the right path。4。10-Do the right thing。 If you die in doing so， you’ll die as a good person。-If you wish for anything that is not your own， what is really your own will be lost。4。12-Keep attention。 Habit of inattention will grow and kill all efforts for focus。4。13-Don’t share your personal feelings with all strangers。-Putting all concerns outside sphere of choice， thousands people constrain and obstruct you。Fragments:12-Passion and short furious anger are better than calmly dragging bad feelings on forever。13-The wicked aren’t punished and succeed only on the surface。 They gain property， but lose their virtue。16-firm judgment only reached with daily rehearsal and application。17-When invited to a banquet， we take what is served。Handbook:1-Within our power are opinion， motivation， desire， aversion。5-The first step: cast blame only on yourself。 The second step: cast blame on nobody。8-Wish that everything that comes about should be just as it is。10-Challenge will bring forward skill。 Hard work brings endurance。 Vilification brings forbearance。15-Behave in life as at a banquet。 Take your share politely。20-Insult comes not from other people， but your judgment to be insulted。 When someone irritates you， it is your opinions。 Don’t be carried away by the impression。 Delay things and gain time to think。26-Someone’s child dies – such is the human lot。 Think of that when your own child dies。28-Handing over your body would make you furious。 But you easily hand over your mind all the time。32-No desire or aversion。 All outcomes are indifferent to you。 Whatever comes， you can make good use of it。 37-If you take on a role that is beyond your power， you’ll not only disgrace yourself in that role， but you’ll also neglect to take on that which you might have been capable of filling。48-All benefit and harm com from yourself。51-Repeated delay and negligence to yourself will prevent any progress。 You’ll remain a layman your whole life until you die。-Live like someone who does in fact wish to be Socrates。Ref-Long: Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide to LifeNotes:-2。17-Epictetus’ 3 topics: 1） study the object of desire， 2） guide your motives and actions in appropriate direction， 3） examine with care all impressions。-2。19-Stoic ethics: It is not enough to just report the views of others， but you have to embed the principles in your actions and attitudes。The whole Index of Main Themes 。。。more
Nil Marion Badilles
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Not yet a philosopherNot yet a philosopher but a brief introduction to philosophy; a good read that inspires one to pursue a virtuous life。
Steven Nobody
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Epictetus' fanaticism has not put me off Stoicism。 Epictetus' fanaticism has not put me off Stoicism。 。。。more
Martin Lumiste
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There are things that are under our control and things that are not - focusing on the former is the key to freedom， virtue and happiness。While this sentence summarises most of Stoic philosophy， Discourses builds tens of variations around the theme， which can honestly border on the tedious。 The didactic style of a lecturer offers less practical knowledge compared to the works of Marcus Aurelius or Seneca。 Epictetus' perfect philosopher is very much the vagabond sage modeled on Socrates and Diogen There are things that are under our control and things that are not - focusing on the former is the key to freedom， virtue and happiness。While this sentence summarises most of Stoic philosophy， Discourses builds tens of variations around the theme， which can honestly border on the tedious。 The didactic style of a lecturer offers less practical knowledge compared to the works of Marcus Aurelius or Seneca。 Epictetus' perfect philosopher is very much the vagabond sage modeled on Socrates and Diogenes who has denounced all material and social ties and lives purely for virtue。Especially wearying are the chapters on gods。 Epictetus was one of the few authors to escape the Christian censorship and it is eminent why: the virtue models and ethics he constructs are reminiscent of official church doctrine。 Proof of gods is assumed trivial due to the complexity of the world around us。 In the same manner， the sole purpose of beasts and nature is to serve humans - the master animal。 While this sounds naive today， it's an interesting perspective on the attempts of early man to understand complex dynamics。 I liked Enchiridion more as it's somewhat close to Meditations - a practical guide on good living。 Read Discourses only if you want to get hardcore with Stoicism。 It's not bad but if it were written today， would get edited to 20% of the length due to redundancy🙂 。。。more
Lev
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Epictetus was such a badass guy， his blunt and at times rude remarks are so tasteful and thoughtful， are filled with life expirince， from his life as a slave to a scolar， his magnificent teachings of philosophy can be rivaled with their coolness only by his beard。 Second Stoicism book I've read。 It felt longer than it was， but I loved it non the less and laughed several times。 Epictetus was such a badass guy， his blunt and at times rude remarks are so tasteful and thoughtful， are filled with life expirince， from his life as a slave to a scolar， his magnificent teachings of philosophy can be rivaled with their coolness only by his beard。 Second Stoicism book I've read。 It felt longer than it was， but I loved it non the less and laughed several times。 。。。more
Arne Gevaert
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Goed wi
Michael Mynott
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This was fantastic。 Yes the writing is convoluted， but what do you expect from a book so old。 Even with it being convoluted every tangent is legible and reaffirms his point。 Absolutely loved it。
Sally Boyer
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Having read Seneca's Letters and two books about Marcus Aurelius， I'd say that Epictetus is my favorite Stoic philosopher。 He is salt of the earth， humble， hilarious， and truly loves God。 Here are some of my favorite quotes and my reflections on them:“You are even unluckier for being oblivious to the fact that you have the power of patience to deal with your difficulties。 You forget the virtues of character you have in reserve， just when problems that they can control present themselves， and you Having read Seneca's Letters and two books about Marcus Aurelius， I'd say that Epictetus is my favorite Stoic philosopher。 He is salt of the earth， humble， hilarious， and truly loves God。 Here are some of my favorite quotes and my reflections on them:“You are even unluckier for being oblivious to the fact that you have the power of patience to deal with your difficulties。 You forget the virtues of character you have in reserve， just when problems that they can control present themselves， and you could use their help。” （12:30，31）This is a powerful idea: do not doubt your own power。 “If you have been placed in a position above others， are you automatically going to behave like a despot？ Remember who you are and whom you govern—that they are kinsmen， brothers by natures， fellow descendants of Zeus。” （13:4） Whom you govern here， according to Epictetus， is yourself and only that。 He repeats throughout that you cannot control others， so forget about it。 This message is ancient and yet so forgotten so often—all people are children of God or the universe or whatever creator you believe in。 “If you must be affected by other’s people’s misfortunes， show them pity instead of contempt。 Drop the readiness to hate and take offence […] Since when are you so intelligent as to go around correcting other people’s mistakes？ […] Realize that the thief and the adulterer cannot touch what’s yours， only what is common property everywhere and not under your control。” （18:9-12）Epictetus reiterates this sentiment again in 29:32 of Book I。 He is kind towards those who have inaccurate perceptions of reality and thus are acting badly based off their incorrect concepts。 I especially liked this quote in chapter 18 because he also reminds us to not be arrogant jerks who go around berating people because they “aren’t enlightened”。 He also reminds us that even if these misguided individuals do harm to our property that it’s ultimately not a big deal since we’re not taking our physical possessions to the grave with us anyway。 ”When someone is properly grounded in life， they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval。” （21:1）I liked this one。“In general， remember that it is we who torment， we who make difficulties for ourselves—that is， our opinions do。” （25:28）I liked this one too。“。。。a person is not going to undertake to learn anything that they think they already know。” （17:1）Maintain a beginner’s mind and you will be granted insight。 I love this idea。“It is inevitable that continuous behavior or any one kind is going to instill new habits and tendencies， while steadily confirming old ones。” （18:7）This is a helpful concept to keep at the fore of one’s mind if they are trying to change a habit。 The more we give into the habit that we are trying to eradicate， the harder the process will be。 This is simple， common knowledge， but a good reminder， nonetheless。 “Don’t let the force of the impression when first it hits you knock you off your feet; just say to it， Hold on a moment; let me see who you are and what you represent。” （18:24）I very much appreciated this advice。 Maintain your balance and patience and do not react too quickly。 Be observant and level-headed and consider the truth behind what you are seeing or feeling。 Sit with it。 Let it be without your own strong reaction added to it。 Allow the impression to dissipate and reveal its truth。 “Well， if neither kings， so-called， nor their companions live as they please， who is left that can be considered free？ Look and you will find: nature has endowed you with resources to discover the truth。” （Book IV， 1:51）The resource is reason。 By using reason， we can align our desires with nature/God’s desire and thus be free。 ”Whoever has the means to give or take away any of the things he values。 […] But when we love， hate， or fear such things [i。e。 money， tribuneship， military command]， then the people who administer them are bound to become our masters。” （Book IV， 1:59， 60） and “Freedom is not achieved by satisfying desire， but by eliminating it。” （Book IV， 1:175）This is an answer to the question， who is our master/enslaver？ Basically， the way to kill your master is to kill your desires for the things they control。 “So don’t go up against God by hoping for what is unattainable， namely to keep forever what doesn’t really belong to you。 Keep them in the spirit they were given， for as long as possible。 If he gives he also takes away。 So why try and resist him？ It would be stupid to oppose one who is strong than I but more importantly， it would be wrong。” （Book IV， 1:101）I really love the line， “If he gives he also takes away。” It’s such a good reminder。 With modern medicine and the way we’ve distanced ourselves from death， it becomes easy to forget about death， while in fact it’s ever-present。“When everything you have has been given you， including your very existence， you proceed to turn on your benefactor and fault him for taking things back。 Who are you， and how did you get here？ It was God brought you into the world， who showed you the light。” （Book IV， 1:103， 104）This is also a lovely reminder to be grateful for the simple fact that we are alive and that it was at no effort of our own。 Our life is truly a gift and we should try our best to cherish it。 。。。more
Guillaume Lelouey
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Really important lessons about life and how one can approach it to find happiness。 Really impressive how modern and relevant it sounds considering how old it is。 The book repeats itself a little bit， though it can be important to be repeated to be remembered。Be concerned only for what is under your control: yourself。Don't get attached to material things， don't settle， work on yourself and remember that your are mortal。 Really important lessons about life and how one can approach it to find happiness。 Really impressive how modern and relevant it sounds considering how old it is。 The book repeats itself a little bit， though it can be important to be repeated to be remembered。Be concerned only for what is under your control: yourself。Don't get attached to material things， don't settle， work on yourself and remember that your are mortal。 。。。more
Nitu Valentin
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 The first piece of Stoic literature that I've ever read turned out to be quite interesting。 I've come to see the internal stoic contradictions and to understand how someone could end up thinking in this way。 I think that it was great， although in the end chapters could've occupied less space。 So apart from this relative technical flaw， I am wholly and positively impressed by this book。 The first piece of Stoic literature that I've ever read turned out to be quite interesting。 I've come to see the internal stoic contradictions and to understand how someone could end up thinking in this way。 I think that it was great， although in the end chapters could've occupied less space。 So apart from this relative technical flaw， I am wholly and positively impressed by this book。 。。。more
Alvin P
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Simply life-changing， a must read。
Rema Yunanto
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Discourses and Selected Writings is a good start for anyone who seek to learn about the fundamentals of stoicism。 The book guide you through the importance of self control， knowing what you can control and what are not。 An ancient book but a relevant one。
Elijah Stauth
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Probably my least favorite of the three foundational stoic texts。 But that might just be because I read it last and so it started feeling more repetitive。 The enchiridion， which is included in here and is a short and succinct "manual for living" is quite digestible， though， and I might return to re-read that portion of it in the future。 Probably my least favorite of the three foundational stoic texts。 But that might just be because I read it last and so it started feeling more repetitive。 The enchiridion， which is included in here and is a short and succinct "manual for living" is quite digestible， though， and I might return to re-read that portion of it in the future。 。。。more
Harshal Lihitkar
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“seek， and ye shall find;” — So I sought and found this book。
Daniel Polansky
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I remember finding this more compelling as a 15 year old， to be very frank。 There's a lot of like， 'fuck you blockhead， quit crying cause your kid died of cholera' and you're just like chill dude， I thought you were the one who was supposed to be all cool and shit。 Anyway。 I remember finding this more compelling as a 15 year old， to be very frank。 There's a lot of like， 'fuck you blockhead， quit crying cause your kid died of cholera' and you're just like chill dude， I thought you were the one who was supposed to be all cool and shit。 Anyway。 。。。more
EL-Sayed Zaki
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It’s a good book。 A very nice introduction to Stoic philosophy which wasn’t overly complicated。 Some parts were heavily repeated but I guess that was necessary to deliver some points across。 I was quite surprised with some of the resemblance between his ideas and Islam and other religions。 This was pointed out in the introduction of the book; Al Kindi’s （father of Arab Philosophers） work shows unmistakable influence from Stoicism and Epictetus。 The fact that Epictetus was a slave before turning It’s a good book。 A very nice introduction to Stoic philosophy which wasn’t overly complicated。 Some parts were heavily repeated but I guess that was necessary to deliver some points across。 I was quite surprised with some of the resemblance between his ideas and Islam and other religions。 This was pointed out in the introduction of the book; Al Kindi’s （father of Arab Philosophers） work shows unmistakable influence from Stoicism and Epictetus。 The fact that Epictetus was a slave before turning into a philosopher makes his words about overcoming suffering just a bit more credible。 Also， his sense of humor was not that bad。 。。。more
Wilf
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4。5 stars。 Very very good。
rfantasyreads
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Despite taking me a month to read， I ended up really enjoying this book， which compiles Epictetus’ most famous writings/lectures as written down by his student Arrian。 Delving into his teachings and philosophical beliefs surrounding life， grief， what is virtuous and how to go through life without being burdened by negative emotions。 I especially aligned with a lot of the teachings in his discourses， as the idea that we will only be free of any burdens when we realise what is in our control and w Despite taking me a month to read， I ended up really enjoying this book， which compiles Epictetus’ most famous writings/lectures as written down by his student Arrian。 Delving into his teachings and philosophical beliefs surrounding life， grief， what is virtuous and how to go through life without being burdened by negative emotions。 I especially aligned with a lot of the teachings in his discourses， as the idea that we will only be free of any burdens when we realise what is in our control and what is out of it， is still valid in our current times。 There’s so many amazing quotes throughout， and this alongside Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations， highlight to me the importance of stoic philosophy in our current day and age， and how it can help improve all our lives for the better。 。。。more
Tom Pepper
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I’m not reviewing Epictetus’s thought here， just this eviction。 it’s a good collection—it’s hard to find an inexpensive edition that has all the discourses。 The translation is readable， but the notes aren’t always accurate—for instance， “enthymeme” is defined as “incomplete forms of syllogistic reasoning”， but this is not really what enthymeme means in ancient thought。 （This is a common mistake， but there are other， more serious， mistakes in the explanatory notes as well。）
Muhammad
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Discourses is a type of book that you can get by without reading it as it only states what's obvious and how we should act。 But the thing which makes discourse such a unique book is， it states that which is obvious in such a way that you give it a second thought。 It talks about pretty much all aspects of life and how to act as a philosopher in those situations。 It probably isn't the best philosophy book to read but it is alright。 I found things too obvious for my taste and probably the best part Discourses is a type of book that you can get by without reading it as it only states what's obvious and how we should act。 But the thing which makes discourse such a unique book is， it states that which is obvious in such a way that you give it a second thought。 It talks about pretty much all aspects of life and how to act as a philosopher in those situations。 It probably isn't the best philosophy book to read but it is alright。 I found things too obvious for my taste and probably the best part was the Enchiridion book itself。 。。。more
Nick
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Being fairly new to greek philosophy， stoicism in particular， I do believe that my ability to judge this based on its implications has to be kept in mind。However， I am certain to have understood the underlying axioms by which the stoics function and that is due to the well preserved translation。 This edition features so called 'fragments' of Epictetus' teachings as well as the Enchiridion， which is， quite literally， the manual of stoicism。 Those added parts allow for a continuation of the teachi Being fairly new to greek philosophy， stoicism in particular， I do believe that my ability to judge this based on its implications has to be kept in mind。However， I am certain to have understood the underlying axioms by which the stoics function and that is due to the well preserved translation。 This edition features so called 'fragments' of Epictetus' teachings as well as the Enchiridion， which is， quite literally， the manual of stoicism。 Those added parts allow for a continuation of the teachings discovered throughout Book 1-4 of the Discourses。There are questions that I have not yet been able to answer for myself， but I am certain that a second read as well as a deeper dive into stoicism will clear things up。This is an excellent start into stoicism or greek philosophy in general。 Highly recommend。 。。。more
Ahmad
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I wish i read this book a little later in life so i could really understand everything it had to offer。 I really agree with Epictetus and stoic philosophy in general and this book cemented my admiration for it。 Especially when Epictetus talked about how distress does not come from the accident itself， but rather takes place in our judgement/reaction to it。 That shit was mindblowing it was so cool！ However I do want to point out a little idea that may have been overlooked （or i may have zoned out I wish i read this book a little later in life so i could really understand everything it had to offer。 I really agree with Epictetus and stoic philosophy in general and this book cemented my admiration for it。 Especially when Epictetus talked about how distress does not come from the accident itself， but rather takes place in our judgement/reaction to it。 That shit was mindblowing it was so cool！ However I do want to point out a little idea that may have been overlooked （or i may have zoned out while reading idk） which is how Epictetus just easily shoves things outside our control to "don't think about it™ "。 And while I completely agree with the premises， I do also think that most of the time， when people are stressing or worrying over something， its not just "oh do i control that？ no。 ok amazing。 moving on！" its more of a "Wait how would I go about controlling this mess？"。 Its not as black and white as Epictetus made it sound like， determining how much control you have over the situation is the most cognitively challenging task sometimes。 To illustrate my point i would like to reimagine the extreme example of the prisoner that was sentenced to death。 By Epictetus， the prisoner realizes he has no choice but to die so the only thing he can do is to die with a smile on his face rather than tears soaking his beard。 In that situation， I think the prisoner would be trying to determine if there is a way to escape （how much control he has） and how he would plan his escape （how to enforce this control） ; You don't just REALIZE you don't have a choice。 There will always be some bits of 'control' hiding behind bushes， the question is : Is it worth burning brain cells to search for it？ ;）leave a like and subscribe。 。。。more
Joe
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