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    The Enchiridion
    The Enchiridion
    The Enchiridion
    Ebook67 pages41 minutes

    The Enchiridion

    By Epictetus

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    About this ebook

    The Enchiridion or Manual of Epictetus is a short manual of Stoic ethical advice from the 2nd-century Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus. The focus is on applying philosophy in daily life. The primary theme is that one should accept what happens. The Enchiridion, along with the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius and Seneca's Letters from a Stoic, is one of three key texts from which the modern world knows Stoicism.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEnhanced Media Publishing
    Release dateMay 22, 2017
    ISBN9781365985850
    Author

    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 Enchiridion

    4/5

    389 ratings12 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Incredible philosophy.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      I'm certainly no philosopher but this is a great little book; well written with a well-thought out, attractive layout
    • 5/5
      I'm so glad I found this book. (10/10)
    • 2/5
      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?
    • 3/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 3/5
      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
    • 5/5
      Classic - just finished reading it for the second, and I have picked up new insights each time

    Book preview

    The Enchiridion - Epictetus

    Asia

    The Enchiridion by Epictetus. Translated by P (Percy). E. (Ewing) Matheson.  First published in 1916. This edition published 2017 by Enhanced Media Publishing. All rights reserved.

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    ISBN: 978-1-365-98585-0.

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    Of all existing things some are in our power, and others are not in our power. In our power are thought, impulse, will to get and will to avoid, and, in a word, everything which is our own doing. Things not in our power include the body, property, reputation, office, and, in a word, everything which is not our own doing. Things in our power are by nature free, unhindered, untrammelled; things not in our power are weak, servile, subject to hindrance, dependent on others. Remember then that if you imagine that what is naturally slavish is free, and what is naturally another's is your own, you will be hampered, you will mourn, you will be put to confusion, you will blame gods and men; but if you think that only your own belongs to you, and that what is another's is indeed another's, no one will ever put compulsion or hindrance on you, you will blame none, you will accuse none, you will do nothing against your will, no one will harm you, you will have no enemy, for no harm can touch you.

    Aiming then at these high matters, you must remember that to attain them requires more than ordinary effort; you will have to give up some things entirely, and put off others for the moment. And if you would have these also—office and wealth—it may be that you will fail to get them, just because your desire is set on the former, and you will certainly fail to attain those things which alone bring freedom and happiness.

    Make it your study then to confront every harsh impression with the words, 'You are but an impression, and not at all what you seem to be'. Then test it by those rules that you possess; and first by this—the chief test of all—'Is it concerned with what is in our power or with what is not in our power?' And if it is concerned with what is not in our power, be ready with the answer that it is nothing to you.

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    Remember that the will

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