The Enchiridion by Epictetus (Audio Book)

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The Enchiridion
by Epictetus (c.55-135). Translated by Elizabeth Carter (1717-1806).

Epictetus (Greek: Επίκτητος; c.55--c.135) was a Greek Stoic philosopher. The name given by his parents, if one was given, is not known -- the word epiktetos in Greek simply means "acquired."

Epictetus spent his youth as a slave in Rome to Epaphroditos, a very wealthy freedman of Nero. Even as a slave, Epictetus used his time productively, studying Stoic Philosophy under Musonius Rufus. He was eventually freed and lived a relatively hard life in ill health in Rome.

So far as is known, Epictetus himself wrote nothing. All that we have of his work was transcribed by his pupil Arrian. The main work is The Discourses, four books of which have been preserved (out of an original eight). Arrian also compiled a popular digest, entitled the Enchiridion, or Handbook. In a preface to the Discourses, addressed to Lucius Gellius, Arrian states that "whatever I heard him say I used to write down, word for word, as best I could, endeavouring to preserve it as a memorial, for my own future use, of his way of thinking and the frankness of his speech".

[privateequityguy]

*“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” ―Epictetus*

[AlexGarrido]

Epictetus is my favorite philosopher of all the times. A slave who became the teacher of one of the greatest emperors humanity has produced, Marcos Aurelius. My life changed thanks to this valuable philosophy.

[hobobum]

Whoever did the voice work reads like a G. Straight up

[joeylee]

Just discovered this. Excellent timeless wisdom. Hold the world loosely. Acceptance. Don't get your buttons pushed. Do without. Stay centered. These things happen. Don't be mastered by your passions. A deep, satisfying read requiring a lot of concentration, a tiny portion at a time.

[infidelaperion]

Reading this through the first time, I think there's a lot more to this work than merely becoming emotionally distant and attached from life. I think Epictetus' underlying point is this:

By all means become attached to life and the people around you. But, do not become so attached that a change in life results in harm to oneself by oneself. Strive for living insofar as you are capable of achieving what you set out to do. But, if things do not go as planned, do not be upset or angry. We should know that life does not go as we would like it to. And so, in recognition of this fact, we must learn to accept changes and move on, not in apathy, but in acceptance that there are some things beyond our control. It is meaningless for us to be upset with ourselves concerning things we neither caused nor could prevent.

[marshalkrieg]

Everyone should listen to this at least three times and then the world will be a much better place.

[johnmiller]

This may have come in the nick of time to save something of a life that feels it's gone down the tubes. I might never have been motivated in the past but I'm hearing all this loud and clear finally. One needs something intense enough to motivate. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[fraidoonw]

The Enchiridion is and will be one of the greatest Human writings! Bravo!

[Moribus_Artibus]

"If you don't act right, shun the action itself, but if you do, why are you afraid of those who censure you wrongly?"

[lisbeth]

I sleep to this every night hoping to gain knowledge through osmosis😆.

[jordanlowe]

I listen to this all the time and while im going to sleep! THANK YOU

[roman]

this is REAL WISDOM
IT'S ALWAYS TOUGH TO HEAR

[HenryEllisonHoweyJr]

A key lesson in Enchiridion, and a crucial part of reaching Stoic-style enlightenment, is limiting your desires and aversions. Wanting things to go a certain way will often lead to disappointment, which leads to being upset with the cause of that disappointment, which is nature.

[gt]

I love listening to this sometimes in the morning before I start my day. The terrible irony of any philosophy is that the more you depend on it, the more you serve it, and the more you become a slave to it, but you can't stop trying.

[cormoranlee]

This is the best narration and translation in my opinion. I love it.

[destroydate]

To be listened to every day before work. This, and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

[enigmapublius]

What a pleasure to listen to this recording! I confess I had not read Epictetus for many years, and found this to be as the return of an old and valued friend. Thank you for sharing! Cheers!

[davidandrews]

Perfectly drafted. Perfectly translated. Perfectly narrated. Thankyou !

[atomixfang]

People have never needed to listen to this more than right now with the pandemic, im trying to follow 1% of what epictitus says and ive found it to be invaluable.

[dezia]

Regarding 1, let me turn you guys onto something so real. Others' love is not ours, it is their love which they choose to share with us. Our love is ours, and we choose to share it.