Had to read this for school. I don't know if it was the 'translation/interpretation' but the writing just felt 'off' to me. This book came across as condescending, preachy and obnoxious as if the reader was too stupid/immoral to understand the concepts presented in the book. I think this one is worth skipping out on.

Stoicism according to Epictetus, is: Don't demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.and: If you ever happen to turn your attention to externals, so as to wish to please anyone, be assured that you have ruined your scheme of life.My favorite quote, maybe because it's so personally relevant and so incisive, is, and bear with Epictetus, this one is a bit long-winded:In every affair consider what precedes and follows, and then undert...

Better than any self help book available today - so very powerful because of the simplicity of the message - focus only on that which you can control and avoid control over that which is beyond you influence.

Favorable commentary on Epictetus lodges this collection of sayings within a wider, deeper Stoic philosophy. In a nutshell, the cosmos operates by natural law that is beyond our control. Things in the cosmos are transitory and permanent attachment is not possible. The task for the Stoic philosopher, such as Epictetus, is to focus only on those actions that are within one's power to control and to act without attachment. This is the law of the cosmos that we know through our rationality, which be...

There is some great wisdom and advice in this book. I was intrigued. Stoicism seems a philosophy worth learning about in this often superficial age.

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.

I have read this probably 5 times. Looking forward to discussing it in heaven with him since he will surely be there.

Stoic philosophy is concerned with preserving our serenity and happiness regardless of any situation or circumstances. Be it loosing your fame and wealth or you beloved ones ...This book which present the teachings of stoic philosopher "Epictetus", is filled with practical wisdom, many of which constitute the foundation of many books I've read or many sayings you and I have heard. Not only books and sayings, teachings of Epictetus I can't help but to notice is the foundation of prominent fields

I maintain the oldest writings are the absolute best. A fantastic collection of 52 maxims (#29 seems to be missing), as timeless as they are wise. Some quotes: -----------#1. Some things are in our control and others are not. Work, therefore, to be able to say to every harsh appearance, “You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be.”#5. Do not be proud of any excellence that is not yours. If a horse thinks “I am handsome”, that is acceptable. But if you the owner boas...

No man is free who is not master of himself. -EpictetusIt's something worth remembering on the 4th of July. Independence Day. "Forgive Over and Over and Over.""Never suppress a generous impulse." One of the greatest books of philosophy I've ever read. It is more of a reinterpretation of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus than a straight academic translation but it wonderfully conveys the wisdom of a a great philosopher who was born a slave. If you ever find yourself at a point in your life when eve...

Epictetus was one of only two slaves George Orwell stated he could remember the names of in his essay "Visions of a Totalitarian Future". Epictetus became one of the three great Stoic philosophers of Rome along with Seneca and Marcus Aurelius.This book is tremendous as it makes Stoic philosophy easily understandable to the layman. Epictetus isn't trying to prove how clever he is in this book or make complicated arguments about his beliefs, he just tells you what to aim for in certain situations....

I haven’t really read much of Stoicism, and as the author of this new interpretation of Epictetus’ teachings, Sharon Lebell says, Stoicism has been given a bit of a bad rap. Or rather, all sorts of misunderstood memes. In this beautiful interpretation that is adapted to the modern, Western style of living, Lebell takes us through the basic tenets of what Epictetus taught: To lead a life of reason, grace, dignity, kindness, and virtue. Those are values we can do well in life irrespective of wheth...

This is a wonderful concise book written by one of the most wisest stoics, or we can even say one of the most wisest people who have ever lived, Epictetus. Being a slave for a noticeable share of his life, he experienced so many personal and social irritating situations which made him to think about how we can live a good,happy and decent life in spite of numerous difficulties and disappointments in life. Epictetus-like other stoics sages- found out that we are damaged mostly not by external eve...

Great read. Felt like I highlighted practically the entire book:First, say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do.Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours. If you do this, you will be impervious to coercion and no one can ever hold you back. You will be truly free and effective, for your efforts will be put to good use and won't be foolishly squandered finding fault wit...

And I thought philosophical pessimists would be bad at parties...This guy could put a damper on a party pretty quickly, or not even show up--more likely.I also don't know why he was against drinking cold water. It's good for the metabolism!Anyway, the tenets of this work are solid. The way they are presented is not as facile as Aurelius' Meditations, though the emperor owes quite a bit to Epictetus.Stoicism is valuable, but adhering to some of it might prove difficult. Calmly bearing the death o...

The opening line reads like a secular mantra: "Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and in one word, whatever are not our actions".Further along, what to do with this realization:"Work, therefore, to be able to say to every harsh appearance, "You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be...

This short and simple work of stoic philosophy is as valid as when it was first penned two thousand years ago. Epictetus started life as a Greek slave, but wound up in Rome. His Enchiridion distinguishes sharply between those things we can control and those we cannot:Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in on...

Epictetus is a less popular stoic than Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, and I didn’t read his works for a long time. This book was my first introduction to his wisdom, and while Seneca may be clearer in his writing, there are certain gems that Epictetus brings to the table that even Seneca and M.Aurelius aren’t able to produce. Seneca puts great emphasis on the shortness of life, tranquility, and being above suffering. Marcus Aurelius looks at the bigger picture, and the idea that we don’t have compl...

Reading Stoic philosophy often makes me ask, did this person only talk the talk, or did they also walk the walk? So far, the only Stoic philosopher that I think walked the walk was Marcus Aurelius, who wrote about life principles privately to himself to deal with real life challenges, many of these principles are still relevant now. He wrote about real life skills, not only philosophical metaphors. While I find Epictetus less fanciful and boastful than Seneca, I still find some of his philosophy...

When I found this book in the library, I was put off by the fact that it is described on the cover as "a new interpretation by Sharon Lebell". I can only assume that to mean that this is not so much a translation of Epictetus's words as it is Sharon Lebell's interpretation of what Epictetus meant. With all due respect to her, if given the choice i'd much rather read Epictetus's actual work and interpret it for myself, thanks. That said, even though it is difficult to know how faithful this "inte...