Musonius Rufus

Perennial wisdom from one of history’s most important but lesser-known Stoic teachers“He knew that all a philosopher could do was respond well—bravely, boldly, patiently—to what life threw at us. That's what we should be doing now.”—Ryan Holiday, Reading List email The Stoic philosopher Musonius Rufus was one of the most influential teachers of his era, imperial Rome, and his message still resonates with startling clarity today. Alongside Stoics like Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, he emphasized ethics in action, displayed in all aspects of life. Merely learning philosophical doctrine and listening to lectures, they believed, will not do one any good unless one manages to interiorize the teachings and apply them to daily life. In Musonius Rufus’s words, “Philosophy is nothing else than to search out by reason what is right and proper and by deeds to put it into practice.” At a time of renewed interest in Stoicism, this collection of Musonius Rufus’s lectures and sayings, beautifully translated by Cora E. Lutz with an introduction by Gretchen Reydams-Schils, offers readers access to the thought of one of history’s most influential and remarkable Stoic thinkers.

Each work has been newly revised, edited and curated for the digital age. There is a complete Musonius Rufus and the rarely published Stoic Hierocles. Consolations From A Stoic contains all three of Seneca's consolations - To Marcia, To Helvia and To Polybius. On The Shortness of Life also by Seneca is presented in a brand new translation by author Damian Stevenson. The Stoics by Diogenes Laertius is a fascinating 3rd century biography of the first Greek Stoics - Zeno of Citium, Dinoysius the Renegade, Chrysippus of Soli et al and there is also Meditations In Verse, an interesting Victorian poetic homage to Aurelius. Stoic Six Pack 2 is an amazing collection of masterworks and rarities, a must-read for fans of Meditations, Letters From A Stoic and Stoic philosophy in general.

Each work has been newly revised, edited and curated for the digital age. There is a complete Musonius Rufus and the rarely published Stoic Hierocles. Consolations From A Stoic contains all three of Seneca's consolations - To Marcia, To Helvia and To Polybius. On The Shortness of Life also by Seneca is presented in a brand new translation by author Damian Stevenson. The Stoics by Diogenes Laertius is a fascinating 3rd century biography of the first Greek Stoics - Zeno of Citium, Dinoysius the Renegade, Chrysippus of Soli et al and there is also Meditations In Verse, an interesting Victorian poetic homage to Aurelius. Stoic Six Pack 2 is an amazing collection of masterworks and rarities, a must-read for fans of Meditations, Letters From A Stoic and Stoic philosophy in general.

The lectures or discourses of Musonius Rufus: 1. That There is No Need of Giving Many Proofs for One Problem 2. That Man is Born with an Inclination Toward Virtue 3. That Women Too Should Study Philosophy 4. Should Daughters Receive the Same Education as Sons? 5. Which is more Effective, Theory or Practice? 6. On Training 7. That One Should Disdain Hardships 8. That Kings Also Should Study Philosophy 9. That Exile is not an Evil 10. Will the Philosopher Prosecute Anyone for Personal Injury? 11. What means of Livelihood is Appropriate for a Philosopher? 12. On Sexual Indulgence 13. What is the Chief End of Marriage 14. Is Marriage a Handicap for the Pursuit of Philosophy? 15. Should Every Child that is Born be Raised? 16. Must One Obey One's Parents under all Circumstances? 17. What is the Best Viaticum for Old Age? 18. On Food 19. On Clothing and Shelter 20. On Furnishings 21. On Cutting the Hair

Written primarily in Greek, 1905/1990 edition.