The discourses of Epictetus
with the Encheiridion and fragments.
by Epictetus · first published 1800
88% recommend13% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Practical Stoic philosophy that is easier to absorb than Marcus Aurelius. Useful for re-reading when facing hardship and for learning to live well. Good grounding for anyone starting Stoicism.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Discourses of Epictetus
on “Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?” ↗Note that both the collected Dialogues (letters) of Seneca and Discourses of Epictetus are available from Standard Ebooks for free. I can't speak to the quality of the translations, but as far as e-books go they are always fantastic productions (compared to just grabbing the text off Project…
on “How to Think about Pleasure” ↗…Epictetus: Encheiridion, and Selections from Discourses, by A.A. Long. This is a short book; the value addition here is the great introduction, and the outstanding glossary. (NB: there is no escaping full Discourses of Epictetus—refer below.) • Epictetus: Discourses, Fragments and Handbook — translation by Robin Hard, intro by Christopher Gill; Oxford University Press. Spend a good four months immersing yourself in it. Epictetus…
on “Psychological techniques to practice Stoicism” ↗To get a better understanding of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, a king, you should read The Discourses of Epictetus, a slave, who has truly affected the philosophy the of former. They have a deep relationship although they did not live in the same era. Marcus was a king who lived like a slave, and Epictetus was a slave,…
on “The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius” ↗…a slog - he repeats himself constantly, as is the tendency in published ancient Greek diaries/correspondence. It's a great grounding for stoicism though. I'd recommend also reading the Enchiridion and Discourses of Epictetus - I found them easier to absorb.
on “Ask HN: Books you plan to read in 2020?” ↗The Discourses of Epictetus - This is useful to re-read frequently while thinking about any new challenges in my life, as these are powerful tools for managing hardship and generally living well. When I say no, I feel guilty by…
on “Ask HN: What nonfiction books do you keep rereading?” ↗…best face (and no failures). "Outliers" are always few and far between (it is still more or less a bell-shaped curve); If you want to become one, then be prepared to put in a lot of hard work. Read the "Discourses" of Epictetus for some perspective; In every act consider what precedes and what follows, and then proceed to the act. If you do not consider, you will at first begin with spirit, since you have not thought at all…
on “Ask HN: How do you accept your place in the world?” ↗I was looking through these titles rather cynically, and wondering if it would be pretentious of me to recommend The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha or the Discourses of Epictetus, and then I saw it: The Inner Game of Tennis, by Timothy Gallwey Yes... yes! I'll gladly recommend this over any book of philosophy. (Different philosophers click with different people.) Granted,…
on “What one book could give me a new, useful superpower?” ↗…amiss, what done, what left undone; From first to last examine all, and then Blame what is wrong in what is right rejoice." This was either a poem or a short saying of Pythogoras. It can be found in the Discourses of Epictetus, Chapter 10, Book 3. http://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/discourses.3.three.html
on “The word "scanned" used 2600 years ago” ↗Agreed, at times, when reading M.A. you will think you are reading the Discourses of Epictetus. Like literally.
on “The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius” ↗…Press). • Encheiridion, and Selections from Discourses, by A.A. Long. This is a short book; the value addition here is the introduction, and the outstanding glossary. (NB: there is no escaping full Discourses of Epictetus.) • The Inner Citadel, by Pierre Hadot. This is a fantastic dissection of Marcus Aurelius' work; Hadot studied him for 25 years. It also contains unparalleled summary of Epictetus, and many quotes…
on “Seneca on The Shortness of Time (2017)” ↗