5.0 out of 5 stars Simply excellent timeless advice from the Stoic master

L. · 7 March 2010

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } This is a really excellent little book of advice from he leading Stoic philosopher Epictetus. The chapters are short and digestable under single headings, often a few paragraphs and none really longer than four pages in length they can be read and reread any time you get a pause for thought. The book itself is not exactly small or short enough to fit in your back pocket but could fit in a bag or the pocket of a larger coat.There is a prologue and an introductory chapter entitled The Spirit of Epictetus followed by the Manual for Living itself, Epictetus' Essential Teachings on Virtue, Happines and Tranquility (which has the excellent opening passages entitled "Why Be Good?") and the book finishes with a "Plus" section similar to the PS sections in some other publications like The Art of Loving (P.S.). The additional sections are Epi-Who? How a 2,000-Year-Old Dead White Male Changed My Life by Sharon Lebell and Why Would Anyone Want to be a Stoic? by Sharon Lebell. While these are interesting and add a little to the book they pale in comparison with the content of the Manual and Essential Teachings themselves.One of my favourite sections actually relates to books and is titled "The Right Use of Books" - "Don't just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person. Books are the training weights of the mind. They are very helpful, but it would be a bad mistaketo suppose that one has made progress simply by having internalised their contents". It also has meaning for this book itself in that what Epictetus has created is immanently practical and can be of use to anyone considering how can experience the best things in life. Much better than a lot of present day or more recent self-help and pop psychology books.Recommended to all and deserving of the widest possible readership.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book

M. · 22 October 2021

Stoicism,I found can be a little complicated to understand but this book is an excellent book on the subject and very clear and readable.I have been studying stoicism for about six months and I have found this book to be one of the best,I have highlighted every page.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Introduction to Epictetus & Stoicism

A.F. · 14 January 2021

A nice introduction to the Stoic philosophy and Epictetus teachings. These are presented in manageable bite-sized chunks to help aid digestion of the thoughts expressed. It doesn't go into enough depth and it is too easy to skim the surface of the many tiny chapters. It does give you an initial taste to want to go further (OK I am going to stop with the food puns)

5.0 out of 5 stars Good read .

g. · 7 July 2022

An easy to read beginners look at the teachings of this Greek philosopher .

5.0 out of 5 stars life of purpose and virtue

M.A. · 28 November 2023

I have found this book a manual of purposeful and flourishing life. It gives advice on every aspect of life both in good and bad days. If this manual is adopted one can live good life indeed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably one of the best writings on Stoicism I've ever read

B.K. · 26 April 2019

Written in a simple and clear language, the author captures the essence of Epictetus writings in this 100 or so page book. Well worth your time.

5.0 out of 5 stars Stoic gems

C.W. · 8 June 2019

I follow a fellow called Niyi Sobo and his Sports Motivation and Get Your Mind Right podcasts, and on it he has 100 recommended books for working on your mindset. This is one. And one I hadn't read or even heard of. The wisdom here is eternal. If you are a striver, stoicism helps with equilibrium and dealing with knockbacks. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good

J. · 19 October 2023

As expected

A Comfortable Companion

M.M. · 3 May 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Sharon Lebell writes an accessible handbook for today's seeker of wisdom, imparted long ago by the stoic Epictetus, who was the teacher of Marcus Aurelius. In this book, The Art of Living, the reader will find short chapters with subject headings which may be read in no particular order. Lebell, though scholarly, writes in a straightforward style making her book the one you want to keep at your bedside to consult over and over. Epictetus's teachings in Lebell's version are instructive and comforting. Highly recommended for those seeking instruction in stoic philosophy and practical guidance in a hectic world.

Klein aber fein

N.L. · 15 October 2020

Das Buch ist relativ kurz, aber enthält sehr viele stoische Weisheiten, die einem im Leben sehr helfen können. Im Gegensatz zu viele anderen Stoizismus Büchern ist es auch sehr gut verständlich und leicht zu lesen. Ich würde es Leuten empfehlen, die bisher noch keine Bücher in dem Bereich gelesen haben und ein leicht lesbares Buch für den Einstieg in den Stoizismus suchen.Ich werde das Buch auf jeden Fall noch einige Male in die Hand nehmen und bestimmte Stellen mehrmals lesen.Long story short: absolute Kaufempfehlung!

Outstanding!

a. · 31 October 2020

Meaningful book and quite a life changer Wonderfully written. Print quality is great. Easy to read. You know a book is great when you read it and you don't feel the time passing, I felt that with this book.

Superficiel

P.c. · 10 August 2024

Interpretation superficielle.Certains thèmes ne sont expliqués qu’en un tout petit paragraphe. Donc bcp trop court pour bien comprendre la pensée du philosophe. interpretation superficielle et parfois inutile qui sonne “bateau” car aucune explication sur la pensée profonde du philosophe. Pour moi livre inutile qui ne permet pas de réellement se questionner et comprendre le raisonnement de EpicteteEn plus le livre avait l’air d’occasion, abimé et collant.

Guide towards a better understanding

G.M. · 30 July 2023

I think this book is a masterpiece and no one would deny about it. It teaches us the right way to awaken our soul. It emphasizes the idea of self improvement for which we can choose the decision that would help us to build a better moral character for not only ourselves but also for the whole mankind. Okay, I won't make it larger; instead you should try it for yourself...