Whatever is Rational is Tolerable

by Epictetus

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 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

[Giselle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I see personal value in shifting focus to the things within our control and understanding that peace shouldn't be outsourced, but rather come from within. However, Epictetus portrays anxiety, fear, and worry to stem out of weakness. That we should be indifferent to things outside of our control, and should subdue emotions, such as anger, and logic/reason our way through difficulties. I don't think reason or rationality is above emotion, I think the things most valuable in life cannot be reasoned, and vulnerability is great.

[Tash Em]

this hurt my brain

[Inez Antoniou-Fernon · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good, fast introduction to stoicism! ‘i must die, but must i die bawling?’

[Jakka]

Ik verwachtte een uiteenzetting over rationalisme in hoofdstukken, maar in plaats daarvan lijkt dit boek een collectie te zijn van korte essays met elk hun eigen vraagstuk. Op zich interessant afgezien van het feit dat meerdere onderwerpen meerdere keren belicht werden. Wanneer een onderwerp voor de tweede (of derde of vierde) keer aan bod kwam, leek een goede 80% van de woorden overeen te komen, alhoewel in een andere volgorde. Om maar een paar overeenkomsten te noemen:
(On providence p21,
On providence p58)

(Concerning what is in our power and what is not p3,
Concerning the necessity of logic p61,
Concerning reason, and how it studies itself p74)

(Concerning what is in our power and what is not p3,
How should we act towards the powerful p69)

(How to draw the correct consequences from the fact that God is the father of Mankind p13,
What are the consequences of us being related to God? p33,
That God supervises everyone p54)

(Don't be angry with wrongdoers p65,
That we should not be angry with people; and what people account great and small p97)

In grote lijnen preekt Epictetus om niet te vermijden waar je geen controle over hebt en niet te verlangen waar je wel controle over hebt. Zodat je niet gehecht blijft aan dingen die je makkelijk afgenomen kunnen worden, en om vruchteloze bezigheden te voorkomen. Hij spreekt over het aanscherpen dat wat ons als mensen speciaal is geschonken (vermogen tot denken en het synthetiseren van impressies). Om logica te bestuderen, omdat het de enige vorm van studie is die zijn eigen bestaansrecht beargumenteerd, en omdat het in zekere zin omvattend is voor al het andere waarmee men zich bezig kan houden. Om je hoofd hoog te houden omdat je geschapen bent door Zeus, en om die reden hoef je niet te buigen voor welke keizer of despoot dan ook. Om het dieven, domme mensen, slechte mensen, niet kwalijk te nemen wanneer ze je onrecht aandoen, omdat zij in zekere zin slechts handelen naar de waarheid die rolt uit hun synthetisering van impressies. Waarom zouden we ze ervoor veroordelen wanneer zij niets anders doen dan wat wijzelf ook doen, namelijk het handelen naar wat wij denken te observeren over de wereld? In plaats daarvan raadt hij aan, wanneer je metalen lamphouder wordt gestolen, de volgende keer een keramieke versie te kopen die het stelen minder aantrekkelijk maakt. Dit boek is misschien niet representatief voor waarom Epictetus nog bestudeerd wordt, de essays waren net wat te kort om krachtig te zijn. In plaats daarvan zorgde de opstapeling van verschillende onderwerpen, die veelal op dezelfde manier aangepakt werden, ervoor dat het boek in de herhaling leek te vallen en als gevolg weinig inzichten leek te bevatten. Zelfs dan zijn er interessante dingen te vinden hierin, al mocht de inhoud samengevat worden tot 50% van de huidige lengte.

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t easy to read and requires understanding in other expert fields to comprehend and appreciate the content of this book. (E.g. especially philosophy and history)

1. The historical context
The words of Epictetus being passed down from the Roman Empire - which is the period after Jesus’ crucifixion - reflects life during that period of time. I can see some similarities to how the Bible (especially Corinthians) and this book reflect the beliefs of that period of time and how they perceived life.

2. Regardless of time, certain things still stand true
We would think that technology, increasing costs of living and et cetera are the reason why man are stressed today. Ultimately, the basis of the human civilisation has not changed - I think people were stressed in the past too (life seemed even more fragile back then to me) and we’re always concerned about meeting our basic needs first and some of the moral issues have not changed since the past (e.g. man’s desire for power, etc)

3. Philosophy as the core content
As Epictetus is a philosopher, I may not be well-read is this field. However, I do believe the philosophers of that time (Plato, Socrates, Epictetus) are definitely very wise. I have Plato’s Republic in my bookshelf to read and hopefully I can draw some connections to the content :)

[NosNos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You, however, who have been chosen to receive an abundance of blessings – and for free – why won’t you swear a similar oath, and, if you have done so already, why not reaffirm the commitment?

‘What is that oath? You swear that under no circumstances will you disobey, press charges, or find fault with God and his gifts. You won’t shrink from life’s essential tasks or trials. Can anyone seriously compare the soldier’s oath with ours? They swear to honour no one more than Caesar; we swear to honour no one more than ourselves."

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to dip into some Stoic philosophy this wet January. Epictetus’s musings were generally very similar to Seneca’s, with perhaps a bit more emphasis on not worrying about what other people think. Good for focusing the mind and not getting stressed in situations that don’t merit it.

[swiss alpine herbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

literally sat in the class before my crit screening DREADING it and got called an idiot and a fool by a man who died 2 william years before me…….. yeah ok epictetus you win this time

[Jinte Eléanora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epictetus me mattie.

[Antonio C. Montecristo · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is incredible to think the way he was thinking ...2000 years ago.

[Cain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far be it from me to criticise a long-dead ancient greek... But I didn't like (and hardly understood) his stoicism. Stick to Marcus Aurelius, I think.