Encheiridion (Barnes & Noble Library of Essential Reading): The Manual for Living

By Epictetus and Odysseus Makridis

Countless readers have found peace of mind and gathered inner strength from savoring this collection of Epictetus sayings. Unlike many ephemeral and faddish dispensations of wisdom, Epictetus philosophy lacks nothing in depth and complexity. It has been a staple of Western education for centuries, and has exercised a formative influence over such diverse figures as the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Christian thinker Augustine, the mathematician-philosopher Blaise Pascal, and the contemporary American novelist Tom Wolfe. Nearly two millennia after it was written, Encheiridion: The Manual for Living continues to engage and inspire readers today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble
• Release date: Sep 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781411428980

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.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Introduction

ENCHEIRIDION: THE MANUAL FOR LIVING

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ENDNOTES

SUGGESTED READING

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Introduction and Suggested Reading © 2005 by Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Originally published in c. AD 125

This 2005 edition published by Barnes & Noble, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored

in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or

otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7607-7020-7 ISBN-10: 0-7607-7020-4

eISBN : 978-1-411-42898-0

Printed and bound in the United States of America

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INTRODUCTION

ENCHEIRIDION: THE MANUAL FOR LIVING OF EPICTETUS (CA 50-135 CE) continues to engage and inspire readers today, nearly two millennia after it was written. Countless readers have found peace of mind and gathered inner strength from savoring this collection of Epictetus’ sayings, which is one of the most genuinely therapeutic books in the Western philosophical tradition. Unlike many ephemeral and faddish dispensations of wisdom, Epictetus’ philosophy, rightly appreciated, lacks nothing in depth and complexity. Indeed, Epictetus’ philosophy, which is epitomized in Encheiridion: The Manual for Living, has been a staple of Western education for centuries, and has exercised a formative influence over such diverse figures as the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Christian thinker Augustine, the mathematician-philosopher Blaise Pascal, and the contemporary American novelist Tom Wolfe. Encheiridion: The Manual for Living has been relished by readers throughout the ages and remains vital and refreshing today.

Epictetus, the seminal figure of the late period of Stoic philosophy, was a Greek born in Hierapolis, Phrygia, in southeast Anatolia (Turkey), between 50 and 60 CE. A slave by either birth or acquisition, Epictetus ended up in Rome, where, in accordance with local practice, he was permitted to study and perhaps teach philosophy. Until the days of Frederick Douglass, Epictetus was the only major figure in the Western philosophical tradition to have been a slave, although Plato had come precariously close to being sold into bondage. Many commentators have viewed Epictetus’ status as a slave as a salient factor in interpreting the motivations of his philosophy, which advocates resignation and the introspective cultivation of inner moral qualities. But this simplification is unfair to Epictetus. The quest for tranquility is a general feature of the philosophical schools of Roman antiquity and is shared even by Epictetus’ inveterate adversaries, the Epicureans.

Although Epictetus did not trace the origins of his thinking to his experience as a slave, he relished the memory insofar as slavery had prepared him for a life that approximated the Socratic, or philosophic, life: scant attention to material needs, devotion to the cultivation of the soul, a fixity of moral purpose, and an unquenchable thirst for the truth.

Of course, slavery did impose an early life of obscurity and submission on Epictetus. It is not imposition but free choice that counts in ethical matters, and Epictetus realized this. He was not proud to have been a slave, to be sure, and he often expressed bitterness, but with a flourish of characteristic equanimity and unprejudiced fairness he absolved his masters of blame. Christian writers of Roman and later times developed a legend about Epictetus, perhaps to make his teachings seem more compatible with Christian doctrines: Supposedly Epictetus had been severely beaten by one of his masters and consequently endured horrendous suffering throughout his life of bondage. Although it is true that Epictetus was lame, it is not known whether this was a congenital condition, the result of grueling drudgery, or an accident. Epictetus suffered from chronic ill health, and despite his success in attracting students, he lived in relative obscurity.

Reviews for Encheiridion (Barnes & Noble Library of Essential Reading)

[tgraettinger_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic - just finished reading it for the second, and I have picked up new insights each time

[jwhenderson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the little (29 pp) book that lays out the essence of Stoic philosophy. While founded by Zeno of Cytium more than three centuries earlier, it is the work of Epictetus (along with Seneca and Marcus Aurelius) that forms Stoic thought as we know it today. Stoicism, while not a well known today as the thought of Plato and Aristotle, was one of the major philosophic schools in Greece and Rome for a half a millenium. What makes the handbook most interesting today is the practical advice aspect of Epictetus' thought. One can put some of these ideas to good use even in the twenty-first century.

[bookwyrmm_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting and approachable introduction to stoicism.

[paul_s-289480 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Not 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.

[madepercy-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enchiridion 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.

[bricker-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My 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.

[hadriantheblind · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A 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.

[hernibs_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Author 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

[quantumbutterfly_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An 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.

[fundevogel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Stoics 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.

[jburlinson_3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I 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?

[tullius22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm so glad I found this book. (10/10)

[sumer1_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible philosophy.

[mvandine_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Marvelous 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.