A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion

Name: A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion
Author: Epictetus

By Epictetus

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About This Book

A collection of Stoic teachings drawn from spoken lectures and a compact handbook, presenting practical guidance on distinguishing what lies within individual control (opinions, desires, aversions, choices) from what does not (body, possessions, external events). It offers prescriptions for shaping judgments, mastering impulses, accepting fate, and acting virtuously through disciplined assent to impressions and proper use of reason. Short discourses illustrate ethical exercises, everyday examples, and responses to hardships; the manual condenses rules for attaining tranquility and moral self-sufficiency. The translation organizes the material into accessible aphorisms and conversational reflections for practical ethical training.

About the Author

Epictetus

Epictetus was a Stoic philosopher who lived in the first and second centuries AD. Born a slave in Phrygia, he later gained his freedom and established a school of philosophy in Nicopolis, Greece. His teachings emphasized the importance of personal ethics informed by a system of logic and natural law. Epictetus is best known for his works, particularly 'The Enchiridion,' a manual of practical ethical advice, and 'Discourses,' which explore the application of Stoic principles in daily life. His thoughts have significantly influenced later philosophical and psychological thought, particularly in the realm of resilience and self-control.