The Teachings of a Stoic: Selected Discourses and the Encheiridion

by Epictetus

HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics. The discourses of the great Stoic philosopher Epictetus are regarded as some of the most influential teachings of the ancient world. Born into slavery and sent into exile before setting up a school of philosophy, Epictetus delivered a series of lectures where he argued that true happiness comes only when we learn to distinguish what is within our power and what is beyond our personal control. Using George Long’s 1890 translation, this edition includes a selection of Epictetus’ key principles, as well as a manual of his core philosophy, the Encheiridion . With clarity, conviction and timeless wisdom that is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago, these teachings navigate the complexities of the human condition and offer rational guidance for the turmoil of modern life.

Genres: Philosophy

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2025

About the author

Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was probably born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey), and lived in Rome until his exile to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece, where he lived most of his life and died. His teachings were noted down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses. Philosophy, he taught, is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. Individuals, however, are responsible for their own actions which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power. As part of the universal city that is the universe, human beings have a duty of care to all fellow humans. The person who followed these precepts would achieve happiness.

Other language versions:
Epictète
Epícteto
Epiktet

Reviews

[•_• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the three I've read (Aurelius, Seneca, and now Epictetus), I found Epictetus's work and thought to be the easiest to grasp, perhaps because of the Socratic-dialogue style of writing. This is definitely one of those books (alongside the rest of the Stoics) that will require multiple readings to fully grasp and absorb. Not sure I agree with all his thoughts on my first go-around, but we shall see what I glean in the future. The translation is rather poor, all things considered.

[Babyjane · Rating 2 out of 5]

didnt finish pretoze v polke som si uvedomila ze citam ekvivalent self-help quotes na instagrame

[Matthew Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great compilation of Epictetus’ work. This book is not an easy read by any means (as are most philosophical works) but pay attention and this book will really start to hammer home the stoic principles and virtues. This is a great read for people who have just read Meditations and want to get into more stoic works.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

His philosophy is rather reliant on believing in the gods. A creator. That if a lowlife steals your car, the creator has taken it back. Except we cannot rationally assume there is or isn’t a god. It is beyond what we can possibly know, so basing a large part of your belief on this assumption, is not logical.
He also says, no one can harm you without your consent, it is only if you consider it a harm that you are harmed- well no, logically, if someone kills me i am dead regardless of my attitude to it, it feels like a cope of not having control, and as he used to be a slave that is fully understandable, but it is not a vice to admit injury, it is not even un-stoic, whether or not it becomes un-stoic, depends on your method of dealing with/reacting to it. It’s also inconsistent as he claims both;
1. We cannot control external things, including our bodies.
2. Yet he also claims we cannot be harmed without our consent, implying that internal states, our bodies, are fully under our control.
We cannot isolate our minds from the body, when our brains are physically vulnerable to things like toxins, injuries and strokes, which can alter thoughts without any “consent”.
Also, “take only as much as your basic need requires, i mean such things as food…and household slaves…but cut down everything which is for outward show or luxury.” Right…

TLDR; Reliance on the divine makes the system unjustified as a universal and individual moral framework. Philosophy above all should be rational, hence this fails as pure philosophy, even if it has practical benefits. This reads more as self-help than philosophy.

[Inyas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stevige lectuur, wel de moeite om helemaal door te nemen. Zijn selecte principes komen op vele manieren voortdurend aan bod. Heldere ideologie om 'deugdelijk' te leven in een Stoïcijnse visie. Veel inzichten om mee te nemen.
- The things about which we have been busied are in no man's power; and the things which are in the power or others, we care not for.
- When you seek what is not your own, you lose that which is your own.
- Knowing what has been produced must also perish.
- And that what you love is nothing of your own; it has been given to you for the present... As a fig is given to you at the appointed season of the year. But if you wish for these things in winter, you are a fool.
- The rule is not to look towards things which are out of the power of our will, to think that nothing is our own... for a man to observe that only which is his own.
- You must do that your will shall be comformable to nature. For another will not damage you, unless you choose.
- Bear what happens, and never say to yourself that it was not worth the trouble.
- How small a part you are compared to the whole.

[Isaac Vernon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the Encheiridion much more digestible than the remainder of the discourses, and there are certainly some good ideas here. However, I have two primary qualms with the piece:

First, both theism and rationalism serve as a axiomatic presupposition to his musings; I found myself often unable to agree with his conclusions out of conflict with their foundation. Second, despite his didactic presentation of tenets (in the discourses) I was often struck by leaps in logic and found myself seeking debate nearly every passage, even after 'acceptance' of his axioms.

I'll conclude with this gem of advice on family values, described in an allegory of voyage: "if there be given to you... a wife and a child, there will be nothing to prevent (you from taking them). But if the captain should call, run to the ship and leave all those things without regard to them."

[Putu Sita Witari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stoicism as an ancient philosophy teaching has been captivating to me for some years now, yet the struggle to integrate the values on a day-to-day basis has been a real struggle. This makes the saying 'nothing good comes easy' my constant reminder to keep moving forward. Plenty of contemplative statements in this selected collection of discourses that resonate with no time or circumstance limit. Thus, this makes the book very versatile and reachable to everyone who treats Stoicism as their 'bible' and to anyone who is interested in manifesting their life to be more meaningful.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bloody awful writing and translation but powerful central points

Marcus Aurelius is more pragmatic and focused on leading and living; the dogma of “you won’t miss your wife and child if you think that your love is for a human not your wife per de” is too disconnected to be useful

But your will your acts and not paying attention to externals is great advice: but not easy to do. Aurelius helps show the doing more

[Karl Vicente]

This was a hard read for two reasons: (1) the antiquated language, (2) and the content/material of the text itself. I would have rated it 4/5 stars for the gems contained within, but since my ratings are also for enjoyment I chose to leave it unrated.

[Peter Lipták · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neoslovilo ma to.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.75⭐️

[Gatinhos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greek philosophy is the self-help book of today. Horrible translation, but with incredible insights into the stoic teachings of Epictetus. I'll probably end up re-reading this book later on.

[bugsymmetry · Rating 3 out of 5]

“And you will see how I shall not wait for you to trust me with your own affairs, but I myself shall come to you and ask you to hear mine.” <3

[Colin Clay · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book with a lot of noble ideas for a less stressful and fulfilled life... translated to a horrible language that's quite messy and old school. Because of that: 3*

[Maarten Leeuw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great teachings, though in need of a better version.

[Usama Ahmad Rana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to understand as old english

[J-P Virtanen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for anyone who wants to delve deeper into the practical theories of stoicism.