Epictetus

A HANDBOOK FOR LIFE The Enchiridion, or Handbook of Epictetus, is a short manual of Stoic ethical advice which was compiled by Arrian, who was a 2nd-century disciple of the Greek philosopher Epictetus. Epictetus lived in ancient Greece from 55 to 135 AD. Born into slavery, he endured a permanent physical disability. While enslaved, he studied Stoic philosophy. After attaining his freedom, Epictetus remained a fervent believer of Stoic thought and...

Epictetus was born a slave but at an early age developed a passion for philosophy and with the permission of his master he studied under Musonius Rufus. He obtained his freedom sometime after the death of Nero in 68 AD and later began teaching in Rome until his banishment from the city around 93 AD, after which he travelled to Nicopolis in Greece and carried on teaching there for the remainder of his days. His teachings were written down and published...

The Discourses are a series of extracts of the teachings of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus written down by Arrian c. 108 AD. It is a guide for the advanced student of Stoicism to show him the best roads toward the goal of becoming a true philosopher.

Countless readers have found peace of mind and gathered inner strength from savoring this collection of Epictetus sayings. Unlike many ephemeral and faddish dispensations of wisdom, Epictetus philosophy lacks nothing in depth and complexity. It has been a staple of Western education for centuries, and has exercised a formative influence over such diverse figures as the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Christian thinker Augustine, the mathematician-philosopher...

No writings of Epictetus himself are really known. His discourses were transcribed and compiled by his pupil Arrian (author of the Anabasis Alexandri). The main work is The Discourses, four books of which have been preserved (out of an original eight). Arrian also compiled a popular digest, entitled the Enchiridion, or Handbook. In a preface to the Discourses, addressed to Lucius Gellius, Arrian states that "whatever I heard him say I used to write...

Greek-speaking philosopher Epictetus was born into slavery around 55 AD at Hierapolis in the ancient Kingdom of Phrygia, which today is located in the city of Pamukkale, Turkey. He lived in Rome until his banishment from the city, after which he would spend the rest of his life in the Northwestern Greek city of Nicopolis. Epictetus was one of the most prominent of the stoic philosophers. Stoicism was the school of philosophy that taught detachment...

The ne plus ultra of Stoicism, Discourses outline clear-cut principles of right conduct and true thinking, offering secular thinkers a mode of reasoning that dismisses the strictures of absolutism and emotionalism in exchange for a more peaceful and productive life. The Discourses report wide-ranging discussions between Epictetus and his students.

No writings of Epictetus himself are really known. His discourses were transcribed and compiled by his pupil Arrian (author of the Anabasis Alexandri). The main work is The Discourses, four books of which have been preserved (out of an original eight). Arrian also compiled a popular digest, entitled the Enchiridion, or Handbook. In a preface to the Discourses, addressed to Lucius Gellius, Arrian states that "whatever I heard him say I used to write...

Epicteto nació como esclavo y se convirtió en uno de los filósofos estoicos más influyentes. El estoicismo es la actitud que permite liberarse del sufrimiento innecesario que surge de la ansiedad por acontecimientos que están fuera de nuestro control; por lo tanto, puede ser de enorme importancia en la vida de uno. Según Epicteto, nuestras propias acciones y actitudes son lo único que está bajo nuestro control; pase lo que pase, debemos examinarlo...

Epictetus, one of the greatest of the ancient thinkers, believed that the primary mission of philosophy is to help ordinary people meet the challenges of daily life and deal with losses, disappointments, and grief. His prescription for the good life: master desires, perform one's duties, and learn to think clearly about oneself and the larger community. In this accessible interpretation by Sharon Lebell, contemporary listeners will find useful advice...