Discourses of Epictetus

Epictetus's Discourses—the foundational text of Stoic ethics presenting practical philosophy for living with freedom, tranquility, and virtue through mastering what is within our control and accepting what is not, recorded by his student Arrian and profoundly influencing Western philosophy, psychology, and the art of living well.

Epictetus (c. 50-135 CE), born a slave who became one of the most influential Stoic philosophers, taught in Rome and later Nicopolis. His Discourses, transcribed by his student Arrian, preserve his classroom teachings on how to achieve inner freedom regardless of external circumstances. Unlike theoretical philosophy, Epictetus offers practical wisdom for daily life: how to handle difficult people, face adversity, overcome destructive emotions, and live with integrity and peace of mind.

What you'll discover:

• The dichotomy of control—distinguishing what is up to us (judgments, desires, actions) from what is not (externals, others' opinions, outcomes)
• How to achieve freedom (eleutheria) and tranquility (ataraxia) through proper use of impressions
• The role of prohairesis (moral character and choice) in Stoic ethics
• How to transform destructive emotions through examining our judgments
• Living according to nature and reason rather than passion and opinion
• The Stoic conception of virtue as the only true good
• Practical exercises for developing Stoic wisdom in daily life
• How to maintain equanimity in the face of loss, insult, and misfortune

Epictetus's central teaching is radical yet simple: we suffer not from events themselves but from our judgments about events. External things—wealth, health, reputation, even life itself—are neither good nor bad but indifferent. Only our use of them, our moral character and choices, have true value. By focusing energy on what we control (our judgments, desires, and actions) and accepting what we don't (everything else), we achieve freedom and peace regardless of circumstances.

What makes the Discourses essential is their practical applicability and psychological insight. Epictetus addresses real human struggles: anger at injustice, fear of loss, attachment to outcomes, desire for approval. He offers concrete practices: examine your impressions before assenting to them, distinguish what you control from what you don't, remember that you are an actor playing a role assigned by fate, view difficulties as training exercises for virtue. This practical wisdom influenced Marcus Aurelius, early Christian monasticism, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and contemporary Stoicism.

The Discourses reveal Stoicism as lived philosophy—not abstract theory but daily practice. Epictetus speaks with directness and urgency, challenging students to examine their lives, question their assumptions, and commit to philosophical practice. His teaching combines rigorous logic with compassionate understanding of human weakness, offering both high ideals and practical steps for progress.

Perfect for: Students of ancient philosophy and Stoicism, readers seeking practical wisdom for daily life, those interested in ethics and the art of living well, students of Marcus Aurelius and Seneca seeking Stoic foundations, anyone struggling with anxiety, anger, or attachment to outcomes, readers interested in the philosophical roots of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and contemplative readers drawn to philosophy as a way of life rather than abstract theory.

This paperback edition presents Epictetus's complete Discourses—the foundational Stoic text that continues to guide readers toward freedom, tranquility, and virtue through mastering what is within our control.