In 'The Discourses,' Epictetus shares profound teachings on Stoicism that emphasize the importance of inner strength and resilience. He challenges readers to focus on what they can control and to embrace their fate with courage. Through engaging dialogues, he reveals how to cultivate a tranquil mind amid life's chaos. Epictetus's wisdom encourages self-reflection and the pursuit of virtue, making his insights timeless. Prepare to transform your understanding of happiness and mastery over oneself.
By Epictetus
Published: 2017
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
The Discourses of Epictetus are a series of extracts of the teachings of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus written down by Arrian c. 108 AD. There were originally eight books, but only four now remain in their entirety, along with a few fragments of the others. In a preface attached to the Discourses, Arrian explains how he came to write them:I neither wrote these Discourses of Epictetus in the way in which a man might write such things; nor did I make them public myself, inasmuch as I declare that I did not even write them. But whatever I heard him say, the same I attempted to write down in his own words as nearly as possible, for the purpose of preserving them as memorials to myself afterwards of the thoughts and the freedom of speech of Epictetus.The Discourses are unlikely to be word-for-word transcriptions and are probably written-up versions of Arrian's lecture notes. The books did not have a formal title in ancient times.
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“It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
The Discourses
By Epictetus
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Epictetus (c. 55 – 135 AD) was a prominent Stoic philosopher known for his teachings on ethics and personal resilience. Born a slave in Phrygia, he gained his freedom and established a school of philosophy in Nicopolis, Greece. His most notable works include the 'Discourses' and the 'Enchiridion', both of which focus on Stoic principles such as the importance of self-control and rationality in overcoming adversity. Epictetus's writing style is characterized by its clarity and practical approach, offering profound insights into the human experience and the pursuit of virtue.
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