The Art of Living
By Epictetus
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Epictetus
Epictetus (circa 55-135 ce) taught in Rome until the year 94 ce, when Emperor Domitian banished philosophers from the city. In exile, he established a school of philosophy where his distinguished students included Marcus Aurelius, author of Meditations. Some 1,863 years after Epictetus's death, Tom Wolfe revived his philosophy in the bestselling novel A Man in Full.
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Reviews for The Art of Living
437 ratings12 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Incredible philosophy.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5My first exposure to the stoic idea of philosophy and it was very enjoyable. Clear and rational rules for a way to a more accomplished life. Learning to accept your feelings and taking responsibility for them can diminish the impact others have on you and your ability to be happy was a huge idea.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Enchiridion reads like the Proverbs and the Hadith. I am finding much in Stoicism that aligns with many of my own ideas. I am not sure whether this is from aspects of training and education that were implicitly Stoic or not. Indeed, I cannot recall any explicitly Stoic teachings in my formal education. Long's translations are interesting and draw upon previous translations. The notes are helpful, especially where all translators are unable to comprehend the precise meaning of certain of Epictetus's [reading Stephen King converted me to the s's rather than the s' plural] "fragments". This is a quick read, and worth further reflection.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Not everything that survived from antiquity is gold. This is a terrible book, a 1st century self-help book equivalent with plenty of profound sounding prescriptions without much argumentation behind them. When it does provide the reasoning it's logical fallacies galore. Most of it sounds like rambling of a belligerent drunkard. I'll save you the chore of slogging through this: desire only what you have and ignore anything that you can't control. Also worship Zeus.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A little something to read on Thanksgiving. Maybe after this, I'll leaf through Seneca, then watch Charlie Brown or something.
One of the big three stoics, with the authors being Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. Epictetus recieved no formal schooling, and was a slave for most of his life. No self-pity. Instead, independence, fearlessness, and acceptance of death and suffering. Self-rule and self-improvement. Forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding.
Almost resembles some forms of Buddhism. In many ways, both are fatalistic, but this is not necessarily pessimism. Instead, there is peace.
I typically find most 'self-help' books to be injurious, maybe even dangerous in their mindless positivity. If it is not too imperious, I would recommend the Stoics and their friends instead, for their mindful tranquility. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Author succeeds in translating this old Greek philosopher and his teachings into modern times. Short chapters for mediation among hustle and bustle of today's hectic life
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An excellent introduction to this Stoic philosopher. While none of the text is anything he said in life, each subject discussed comes from what teachings we have of him and what he would likely have said. It's amazing how timeless these words can become, speaking to some of the eternal aspects of the human condition.Philosophy should not be something highbrow and removed from understanding by the general populace. Epictetus can bring it back down to earth.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Stoics are weird. And I'm kinda surprised so many people reviewed this book as some amazing bit of timeless philosophy.The Handbook is just that, a handbook. An ancient Roman self-help book from the Stoic perspective. Some of the the advice still holds true, things like:- don't doddle and miss your boat, a literal boat, not a figurative one- know that there are things in your power and things beyond your power, don't confuse them- do be disciplined in your undertakings and don't procrastinateGood stuff right? Unfortunately that is pretty much all of the advice he gives that still holds true. The rest doesn't make sense unless you live in ancient Rome and the world is innately perfect and harmonious and magical even when shitty things happen. This seems to be the gaping hole in Stoic philosophy, the conviction that the universe was perfect and harmonious despite evidence to the contrary. When shitty things happen to you, according to the Stoics, they aren't really shitty, they just seem shitty because you have let yourself become out of sync with the universe. Your wife and child died? Well of course they did! That's the nature of the universe, you should have expected it and accepted it. You're a slave? Well that's just how it is, you can't very well expect to be free can you? Just try to get used to it.This is the backbone of Epictetus' advice, lowering your expectations so that they coincide with the course your life is probably going to take anyway. No one ever rocked the boat or overcame great odds based on Stoic philosophy. Throw in some quick advice about how to respond to omens and when you should and shouldn't see a fortune teller and that's about it. Well, that and advising you to be as boring as possible, not hanging out with non philosophers, not talking at all if you can help it, not swearing but frowning to show your disapproval when others do and certainly not having sex if you can avoid it. Stoics sure tried their darnedest to live boring, unremarkable lives. But ol' Epictetus wasn't a complete twat wet blanket. He understood that there are somethings you just can't live without."Take what has to do with the body to the point of bare need, such as food, drink, clothing, house, household slaves, and cut out everything that is for reputation and luxury."Timeless, no?Ultimately this is a quick, fairly amusing read, but I certainly wouldn't take it too seriously.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I have three bones to pick with Sharon Lebell's "new interpretation" of Epictetus' Enchiridion. (1) It's over-elaborate; the original is pithy, directness and leanness are not only stylistically distinctive, but underscore the "stoical" message. (2) It's unnecessarily idiomatic: expressions like "death is no big deal," and "don't kid yourself" tend to further trivialize sentiments that, to a modern audience, already might appear simplistic (deceptively so, though, in my opinion.) (3) It's wrong. Here's a contrast between Lebell's version and the translation by George Long, available on Project Gutenberg. Lebell: "Do your best to reign in your desire. For if you desire something that isn't within your own control, disappointment will surely follow; meanwhile, you will be neglecting the very things that are within your control that are worthy of desire. Of course, there are times when for practical reasons you must go after one thing or shun another, but do so with grace, finesse, and flexibility." Long: "For if you desire anything which is not in our power, you must be unfortunate; but of the things in our power, and which it would be good to desire, nothing yet is before you. But employ only the power of moving towards an object and retiring from it; and these powers indeed only slightly and with exceptions and with remission." Different, wouldn't you say?
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I'm so glad I found this book. (10/10)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Marvelous translation. Utterly relevant, and a good companion book to stow into the backpack, briefcase or laptop bag for an occasional dip or deep dive as time permits.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'm certainly no philosopher but this is a great little book; well written with a well-thought out, attractive layout
Book preview
The Art of Living - Epictetus
The Art of Living
by Epictetus
SMK Books
Copyright © 2013 by SMK Books
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
SMK Books eBook edition June 2013
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN 978-1627551991
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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 own actions.
The things in our control are by nature free, unrestrained, unhindered; but those not in our control are weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others. Remember, then, that if you suppose that things which are slavish by nature are also free, and that what belongs to others is your own, then you will be hindered. You will lament, you will be disturbed, and you will find fault both with gods and men. But if you suppose that only to be your own which is your own, and what belongs to others such as it really is, then no one will ever compel you or restrain you. Further, you will find fault with no one or accuse no one. You will do nothing against your will. No one will hurt you, you will have no enemies, and you not be harmed.
Aiming therefore at such great things, remember that you must not allow yourself to be carried, even with a slight tendency, towards the attainment of lesser things. Instead, you must entirely quit some things and for the present postpone the rest. But if you would both have these great things, along with power and riches, then you will