Discourses (1/2) 💖 By Epictetus. FULL Audiobook

Discourses. By Epictetus FULL Audiobook
Discourses is a collection of informal lectures given by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus to his students. The book explores Stoic philosophy, including concepts like happiness, well-being, hardship, challenges, and the mind’s relation to emotions. The book is divided into four books, each of which contains a series of discourses on a particular topic.

Epictetus was born into slavery and was granted his freedom at some indeterminate date. He then devoted his life to philosophy. In AD 95, Roman Emperor, Domitian, unpleased with the reception of stoicism among his tyrannical opponents, expelled Epictetus and other philosophers from Rome. Putting one of his own foremost teachings into practice, Epictetus turned adversity into opportunity, relocating to Greece where he was happy to not have any competition to open his school of stoicism in Nicopolis. There, his school attracted some of the most powerful and influential of the time, with his lectures even finding the lap of Marcus Aurelius.

The book is a compilation of lessons learned in Epictetus’ classroom at the beginning of the second century AD. The book only survived thanks to a student named Arrian, who’s credited with transcribing the lessons he learned in Epictetus’ classroom. Arrian wrote in a letter prior to the Discourses’ publishing, “whatever I used to hear him say I wrote down, word for word, as best I could, as a record for later use of his thought and frank expression.” A record he later used to achieve renown throughout Rome as a political advisor, military commander, and prolific author – work which includes the biography of Alexander the Great.

The book is considered among the big three in Stoic philosophy, along with Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. Epictetus proves the application of stoicism useful to whatever fortunes one may be born. Aurelius was one of the most powerful men of his time and Seneca was one of the wealthiest of his. Epictetus was at the other end of the spectrum.

The book is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, particularly Stoicism. It is a timeless classic that has influenced many great thinkers throughout history. Some of the key takeaways from the book include the importance of self-discipline, the power of reason, and the value of living in accordance with nature.
More: Epictetus, Stoicism, philosophy
Arrian, ancient Greece, virtue
morality, ethics, self-improvement
freedom, willpower, mindfulness
happiness, tranquility, contentment

00:00:00 Introduction
00:11:49 Discourses. Book I
02:54:21 Book II
05:54:27 Book III
09:04:17 Book IV