Epictetus

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The Discourses of Epictetus are a series of intensely practical informal lectures. Epictetus directs his students to focus attention on their opinions, anxieties, passions and desires, so that they may never fail to get what they desire. True education lies in learning to distinguish what is our own from what does not belong to us, and in learning to correctly assent or dissent to external impressions. The purpose of his teaching was to make people free and happy.The Discourses have been influential since they were written by Epictetus' pupil Arrian around 108 AD. Epictetus divides philosophy into three fields of training, which include desire, choice, and assent, with especial application to ethics. He also teaches that the shortcomings of our fellow people are to be met with patience and charity, and we should not allow ourselves to grow indignant over them, for they too are a necessary element in the universal system. Epictetus believed that the ideal human will not be angry with the wrong-doer; he will only pity his erring, and thus become the perfect Stoic.

'Don't hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen'How can we cope when life's events seem beyond our control? These words of consolation and inspiration from the three great Stoic philosophers - Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius - offer ancient wisdom on how to face life's adversities and live well in the world.One of twenty new books in the bestselling Penguin Great Ideas series. This new selection showcases a diverse list of thinkers who have helped shape our world today, from anarchists to stoics, feminists to prophets, satirists to Zen Buddhists.

Epictetus' "Discourses" have, since antiquity, been among the most influential Stoic texts. His ideas are surprisingly fresh: practical and speaking eloquently to the modern reader. Each idea is presented cogently in about two paragraphs of lucid text.

The Enchiridion is a short manual of Stoic ethical advice compiled by Arrian, disciple of the Greek philosopher Epictetus. Although the content is mostly derived from the Discourses of Epictetus, it is not a summary of the Discourses but rather a compilation of practical precepts. Eschewing metaphysics, Arrian focuses his attention on Epictetus's work applying philosophy to daily life. The book is thus a manual to show the way to achieve mental freedom and happiness in all circumstances. This is a pocket edition.

Epictetus was born into slavery about 55 CE in the eastern outreaches of the Roman Empire. Once freed, he established an influential school of Stoic philosophy, stressing that human beings cannot control life, only their responses to it. By putting into practice the ninety-three witty, wise, and razor-sharp instructions that make up The Art of Living, readers learn to meet the challenges of everyday life successfully and to face life's inevitable losses and disappointments with grace.

The Latin term `enchiridion' connotes a small, essential handbook that sums up a particular matter or subject. So it was with the well-regarded enchiridion of Epictetus, who successfully tranposed the most important principles of Stoicism into this text.Important for students and enthusiasts of ancient philosophy, or for those interested in undertaking a Stoical life, this book exemplifies the tenets of an ethical and Stoic philosophy. For its unstinting commitment to such, this text remained influential and much read among Greek, Roman and later Christian scholars through the centuries following antiquity. The ethical outlook of Epictetus would notably gain favour and quotation from Marcus Aurelius, the `philosopher king' of the Roman Empire. This paperback edition includes the respected and much-consulted translation by George Long, and is complete with the translator's annotations.

Two great pieces from Epictetus together, The Enchiridion & Discourses.