I read this on the heels.of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and that's probably why I liked it less. Same philosophy, but certainly a different voice and presentation. This is more of a lecture and less accessible than Meditations which were exactly that: private meditations and journal entries (basically) to work out how to actually live life.

An essential read but not my favorite on Stoicism. ( )

Ik kan wel zeggen dat ik het gelezen heb, maar het gelezen zijn is in mijn ogen geen doel van dit boekje. ( )

This is an ageless 'guide to living', almost 2000 years before marketing was a thing, so it's just plain advice with the intent of improving people's lives. Really easy to read and re-read. ( )

My first stoicism text.
I really enjoyed reading the book. It's supposed to (or at least I feel it's more effective this way) be used as a guidebook than something you read in one go.
There is nothing startlingly new or that cannot be found in stoicism videos on YouTube. However, I am glad to have a single book that covers most aspects of the stoic lifestyle. Most of it is applicable in life, some of it, I have to admit, has a more passive and resigned nature to it. I'm not saying that there is something wrong with believing that everything that happens is predetermined. But just that it doesn't sit right with me.
Due to the lack of my ability to put it into better words, I am going to stop here.
As great as Stoicism or any philosophy is it is always wise to not blindly believe teachings and apply them to your life. So take what you need and apply what you can. ( )

Manual de auto ajuda do estóico raiz, contendo preceitos-dicas valiosos de como viver, especialmente na Roma antiga. Há coisas sobre a qual um humano pode controlar e outras não. Foquemos naquelas que podemos controlar e influenciemos as que podemos influenciar, aceitando as outras e os resultados. Assim, evitamos o indesejado que está sob nosso controle, sem confundi-lo com o inevitável que cerca nossa vida. Homem é perturbado não pelas coisas mas pelas noções que delas tem. E não somos mais que atores no drama da vida, a representar o papel que nos deram. Representa-mo-lo o melhor que pudermos! ( )

It teaches two virtues:

1) the freedom of the self absorbed tyrant
2) the morality of slavery to everything outside oneself. ( )

A tiny little atom bomb of wisdom. Learned about Epictetus in Tom Wolfe's "A Man in Full", and sought out this book.

The text is brief - could even be a pocket book, if they chose to do so. But the teachings are profound and practical. Now if I could only live by them... ( )

Classic - just finished reading it for the second, and I have picked up new insights each time ( )

This is the little (29 pp) book that lays out the essence of Stoic philosophy. While founded by Zeno of Cytium more than three centuries earlier, it is the work of Epictetus (along with Seneca and Marcus Aurelius) that forms Stoic thought as we know it today. Stoicism, while not a well known today as the thought of Plato and Aristotle, was one of the major philosophic schools in Greece and Rome for a half a millenium. What makes the handbook most interesting today is the practical advice aspect of Epictetus' thought. One can put some of these ideas to good use even in the twenty-first century. ( )

4.5

I think Epictetus missed some points in some of the chapters, so I do not agree with all that's written, but all in all, a great book with a collection of practical advice to live by. ( )

I didn't read this version, but the one found on Project Gutenburg translated by Thomas Higginson. ( )

Interesting and approachable introduction to stoicism. ( )

Mandatory reading for Stoicism beginners. I wish an even more simple translation is available. ( )

Not everything that survived from antiquity is gold. This is a terrible book, a 1st century self-help book equivalent with plenty of profound sounding prescriptions without much argumentation behind them. When it does provide the reasoning it's logical fallacies galore. Most of it sounds like rambling of a belligerent drunkard. I'll save you the chore of slogging through this: desire only what you have and ignore anything that you can't control. Also worship Zeus. ( )

Libro muy corto. Tipico estilo de la epoca donde idea es un pequeño parrafo. Es muy sencillo para seguirlo, marcarlo y releer los capitulos mas intersantes.

Me gusta la idea de que todo realmente son tus opiniones, no es que el mundo te haga sufrir, es que tu estas sufriendo, etc.
No me gusta la idea de tener que hacer lo que tienes que hacer. Hoy en dia es practicamente lo contrario, tienes que hacer tantas cosas distintas como puedas. ( )

A surprisingly accessible philosophy that translates well into our times. I'm glad I chose a primary source as my first book on stoicism instead of a modern reinterpretation of it. ( )

The Art of Living by Epictetus is a great book, its lessons are both timeless and applicable even to the modern day. The book starts out with Sharon Lebell talking a little bit about Epictetus and how he was influential back in his time. It moves on to the actual substance of the book itself, which are 93 instructions compiled by one of Epictetus’ students. Supposedly this was part of a longer work, but the material that survived is really useful and deep.

Each of the 93 pieces starts out with a title at the top of the page, only to have that piece of wisdom elaborated on in the lower set of paragraphs. The book itself is split into two major parts. The first part is called “A Manual for Living.” It discusses how to live nobly and in a just manner. The second part is called “Essential Teachings on Virtue, Happiness, and Tranquility. It contains the idea of why one would want to live nobly and in a just manner.

I feel that a lot of people could do well with a Stoic viewpoint of the world. This includes myself of course since I have a problem with a great many things that I cannot alter or control. In that, the lessons to be taken from this are very pragmatic. In that sense, I really enjoyed this book quite a bit. ( )

an effort to reconcile liberal and conservative attitudes; a historically influential text

There isn't much here that one could take issue with. Epictetus' pithy take on morals and ethics is not that far removed from that of the New Testament. ( )

Gutenberg Books download, good for Kindle, no where near as good as my 1957 Modern Library Giant edition translated by WJ Oates.

Hate to be a book snob, but I am... Old school '57 Oates translation much more precise in use of words, and easier to understand.

A book that needs to be read over and over again, a true Stoic classic.

Enchiridion reads like the Proverbs and the Hadith. I am finding much in Stoicism that aligns with many of my own ideas. I am not sure whether this is from aspects of training and education that were implicitly Stoic or not. Indeed, I cannot recall any explicitly Stoic teachings in my formal education. Long's translations are interesting and draw upon previous translations. The notes are helpful, especially where all translators are unable to comprehend the precise meaning of certain of Epictetus's [reading Stephen King converted me to the s's rather than the s' plural] "fragments". This is a quick read, and worth further reflection. ( )

My first exposure to the stoic idea of philosophy and it was very enjoyable. Clear and rational rules for a way to a more accomplished life. Learning to accept your feelings and taking responsibility for them can diminish the impact others have on you and your ability to be happy was a huge idea. ( )

Everything has two handles, the one by which it may be carried, the other by which it cannot.

I am fond of a jug

Recall Kierkegaard. A hard doctrine. ( )

A little something to read on Thanksgiving. Maybe after this, I'll leaf through Seneca, then watch Charlie Brown or something.

One of the big three stoics, with the authors being Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. Epictetus recieved no formal schooling, and was a slave for most of his life. No self-pity. Instead, independence, fearlessness, and acceptance of death and suffering. Self-rule and self-improvement. Forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding.

Almost resembles some forms of Buddhism. In many ways, both are fatalistic, but this is not necessarily pessimism. Instead, there is peace.

I typically find most 'self-help' books to be injurious, maybe even dangerous in their mindless positivity. If it is not too imperious, I would recommend the Stoics and their friends instead, for their mindful tranquility.
( )

Author succeeds in translating this old Greek philosopher and his teachings into modern times. Short chapters for mediation among hustle and bustle of today's hectic life ( )