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Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide to Life
The philosophy of Epictetus, a freed slave in the Roman Empire, has been profoundly influential on Western thought: it offers not only stimulating ideas but practical guidance in living one's life. A. A. Long, a leading scholar of later ancient philosophy, gives the definitive presentation of the thought of Epictetus for a broad readership. Long's fresh and vivid translations of a selection of the best of Epictetus' discourses show that his ideas are as valuable and striking today as they were amost two thousand years ago.
This is a book for anyone interested in what we can learn from ancient philosophy about how to live our lives.
This is a book for anyone interested in what we can learn from ancient philosophy about how to live our lives.
310 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 18, 2012
Very well written and useful explication of Epictetus. Long strikes an excellent balance of commentary and original sources, while providing the right amount of explanation of the philosophical and historical context. Overall, the book is well written: accessible and not overly academic, but by no means oversimplified either. The Discourses are independently relatively accessible and fascinating (definitely worth anyone's time), but I am looking forward to going back to them equipped with the insight Long has provided.
November 11, 2021
I was fortunate to receive this book as a birthday gift from my son. I had wanted to know more about the Stoics and Epictetus in particular. It took me awhile to work through Long's presentation as it is very scholarly, at times dense. In the end I was satisfied.
Long presents Epictetus's brand of stoicism fully and provides the reader with much to think about in the way he/she deals with the challenges of life. Certainly much of Stoicism is a life choice one can embrace in concept easier than in everyday reality and I cant help but believe it works better for those who wealth or social status permits it. If your the advisor to Nero and your building a fortune daily its a bit easier to tell others not to get so excited. That said, there is value in the basic tenants.
Most of Epictetus's "educational objectives" (page 118) would make sense to one attempting to learn philosophy. And, to anyone attempting something difficult - "the Stoic art of life is not achievement but the minute-by-minute aspiration to shape oneself, irrespective of one's natural gifts, into an excellent person." We do well to remember " Is cash the only thing people can lose? Aren't integrity and decency capable of being lost? Isn't the loss of these things a damage?". This maybe a truism applicable in todays culture (remembering what I said about the ease of being a wealthy stoic).
It seemed to me that this influential philosopher must have been read and study by the early Christian Fathers. An echo of him can be heard throughout the New Testament. That would be an interesting subject for another new read.
Long presents Epictetus's brand of stoicism fully and provides the reader with much to think about in the way he/she deals with the challenges of life. Certainly much of Stoicism is a life choice one can embrace in concept easier than in everyday reality and I cant help but believe it works better for those who wealth or social status permits it. If your the advisor to Nero and your building a fortune daily its a bit easier to tell others not to get so excited. That said, there is value in the basic tenants.
Most of Epictetus's "educational objectives" (page 118) would make sense to one attempting to learn philosophy. And, to anyone attempting something difficult - "the Stoic art of life is not achievement but the minute-by-minute aspiration to shape oneself, irrespective of one's natural gifts, into an excellent person." We do well to remember " Is cash the only thing people can lose? Aren't integrity and decency capable of being lost? Isn't the loss of these things a damage?". This maybe a truism applicable in todays culture (remembering what I said about the ease of being a wealthy stoic).
It seemed to me that this influential philosopher must have been read and study by the early Christian Fathers. An echo of him can be heard throughout the New Testament. That would be an interesting subject for another new read.
February 13, 2011
One of the Big Three of the stoics, Epictetus is foundational reading for anyone interested in philosophy. The primary sources are best, and Epictetus is quite readable in a good translation, but Long does give some value with his own take on the extant works.
March 28, 2021
I like Greek moralists
December 1, 2021
Phenomenal, awe-inspiring, methodical to the bone, luminous and thought provoking...
March 17, 2024
One of, if not the, most complete academic content on Epictetus. The level of granularity and detail on the different topics covered by Epictetus is just astounding.
April 26, 2020
***½ rounded down. This is a deep "interested reader" oriented book with references galore, but should not be one's first introduction to Epictetus. That said, I think Long provides a careful explanation of what Epictetus was doing with Stoic philosophy, pointing out how earlier translators and scholars might have gotten it wrong. The nice thing about ancient Greek philosophies is that they offered themselves up as complete packages for how to live the good life. Epictetus, moreover, was a practical-minded teacher. The result is a rich vein of life-philosophy that we can mine for the good stuff and leave the rest.
January 27, 2011
An excellent introduction to Epictetus's thought and how he differed from other contemporary Stoics.
December 16, 2023
Clearly Tony knows his subject but I really found this a tough read. Hard to describe exactly why but I would read pages and then wonder what I had just read.
There was a lot of research done to write this book and the notes and bibliography is extensive.
p. 69: Plato's Apology (30c-d): "Anytus and Meletus [Socrates' Athenian prosecutors] can kill me, but they cannot harm me."
p. 69: #18: "Socrates fulfilled himself by attending to nothing except reason in everything he encountered. And you, although you are not yet a Socrates, should live as someone who at least wants to be a Socrates."
p. 71: "It is worse to do wrong than to suffer wrong." (Epictetus 4.1.122-3)
p. 73: "Epictetus (almost certainly with Socratic irony) thanks a certain Lesbius for 'every day proving to me [exelechein] that I know nothing' (3.20.19)."
p. 113: "Like every Greek philosopher from Socrates onwards, Epictetus takes it to be axiomatic that every person desires happiness."
p. 113: "[Epictetus] specifies that they should provisionally abstain from 'desire' (orexis) altogether, and he makes the same recommendation repeatedly (3.9.22; 3.12.8; 3.13.21)."
p. 121: "They are 'never to call themselves philosophers or talk in lay company about their principles but simply practise them' (Ench. 46)."
p. 145: "There is nothing bad for which God is responsible because badness pertains exclusively to human deficiencies."
p. 146: "The life that we have now is what requires all of our attention; the only punishment for those who neglect the priniciples of Stoicism, Epictetus says, is to 'stay just as they are', emotionally disturbed and discontented (1.12.21-2; 3.11.1-3)."
p. 165: #85: "I do have one being whom I must please, to whom I must subordinate myself and be obedient--God, and after him myself. God has entrusted me to myself and he has subordinated my volition to me alone, giving me standards for its correct use. (4.12.11-12)"
p. 186: "Epictetus' favourite formula for the goal of human life is 'to follow the gods' (1.12.5; 1.30.4; 4.7.20)."
p. 212: Prohairetika ("things up to us") vs. Aprohaireta ("things not up to us"
p. 213: "It is not things that disturb people but their judgements about things' (Ench. 5)
p. 242: #135: "Remember that you are an actor in a play, whichever play the dramatist choose, whether short or long. If he wants you to play the part of a beggar, be sure to act it skilfully, and similarly with the parts of cripple or official or private citizen. For your function is to play the assigned role well, but the choice of the role is another's [i.e. God's]. (Ench. 17)
p. 248: #139: "What harm is it, just when you are kissing your little child, to say, "Tomorrow you will die," or to your friend similarly: "Tomorrow one of use will go away, and we shall not see one another any more? (3.24.84-8)"
p. 272: "And you, although you are not yet a Socrates, should live as someone who at least wants to be a Socrates."
There was a lot of research done to write this book and the notes and bibliography is extensive.
p. 69: Plato's Apology (30c-d): "Anytus and Meletus [Socrates' Athenian prosecutors] can kill me, but they cannot harm me."
p. 69: #18: "Socrates fulfilled himself by attending to nothing except reason in everything he encountered. And you, although you are not yet a Socrates, should live as someone who at least wants to be a Socrates."
p. 71: "It is worse to do wrong than to suffer wrong." (Epictetus 4.1.122-3)
p. 73: "Epictetus (almost certainly with Socratic irony) thanks a certain Lesbius for 'every day proving to me [exelechein] that I know nothing' (3.20.19)."
p. 113: "Like every Greek philosopher from Socrates onwards, Epictetus takes it to be axiomatic that every person desires happiness."
p. 113: "[Epictetus] specifies that they should provisionally abstain from 'desire' (orexis) altogether, and he makes the same recommendation repeatedly (3.9.22; 3.12.8; 3.13.21)."
p. 121: "They are 'never to call themselves philosophers or talk in lay company about their principles but simply practise them' (Ench. 46)."
p. 145: "There is nothing bad for which God is responsible because badness pertains exclusively to human deficiencies."
p. 146: "The life that we have now is what requires all of our attention; the only punishment for those who neglect the priniciples of Stoicism, Epictetus says, is to 'stay just as they are', emotionally disturbed and discontented (1.12.21-2; 3.11.1-3)."
p. 165: #85: "I do have one being whom I must please, to whom I must subordinate myself and be obedient--God, and after him myself. God has entrusted me to myself and he has subordinated my volition to me alone, giving me standards for its correct use. (4.12.11-12)"
p. 186: "Epictetus' favourite formula for the goal of human life is 'to follow the gods' (1.12.5; 1.30.4; 4.7.20)."
p. 212: Prohairetika ("things up to us") vs. Aprohaireta ("things not up to us"
p. 213: "It is not things that disturb people but their judgements about things' (Ench. 5)
p. 242: #135: "Remember that you are an actor in a play, whichever play the dramatist choose, whether short or long. If he wants you to play the part of a beggar, be sure to act it skilfully, and similarly with the parts of cripple or official or private citizen. For your function is to play the assigned role well, but the choice of the role is another's [i.e. God's]. (Ench. 17)
p. 248: #139: "What harm is it, just when you are kissing your little child, to say, "Tomorrow you will die," or to your friend similarly: "Tomorrow one of use will go away, and we shall not see one another any more? (3.24.84-8)"
p. 272: "And you, although you are not yet a Socrates, should live as someone who at least wants to be a Socrates."
June 18, 2023
This book can be categorized into two parts: providing the reader history lesson for the reader to understand the context of Epictetus as a Stoic philosopher (chapters 1-4), then providing direct translations and discussions for themes fundamental to Epictetus' teachings (chapters 5-9).
Having a limited background on Greek Philosophy, I found the first four chapters difficult to understand as there were many references to Epictetus' contemporaries and previous philosophers. I paused to read "Lives of the Stoics" by Ryan Halliday and found it to be a good primer for this book if you have no prior knowledge of ancient Greek philosophers.
Most of the gems of this book hide in chapters six to nine where Long translates and discusses Epictetus teachings on Stoicism, particularly in chapter eight on Autonomy and Integrity. I found this part to be more of a self help book for someone looking to develop willpower and discipline. The concept of "Prohairesis" which loosely translates to "self control" is a timeless idea that I wish more people would talk about in current day.
How I try to practice these ideas... In the US, many individuals have adopted a "victim mentality" and blame others for their circumstance. Prohairesis is the antidote to this mindset as practicing it involves recognizing self accountability and control over one's own life. That is not to say that every problem is preventable, but one should recognize that many components of their life fall within their own volition and thus can improve their situation with effort and willpower.
Having a limited background on Greek Philosophy, I found the first four chapters difficult to understand as there were many references to Epictetus' contemporaries and previous philosophers. I paused to read "Lives of the Stoics" by Ryan Halliday and found it to be a good primer for this book if you have no prior knowledge of ancient Greek philosophers.
Most of the gems of this book hide in chapters six to nine where Long translates and discusses Epictetus teachings on Stoicism, particularly in chapter eight on Autonomy and Integrity. I found this part to be more of a self help book for someone looking to develop willpower and discipline. The concept of "Prohairesis" which loosely translates to "self control" is a timeless idea that I wish more people would talk about in current day.
How I try to practice these ideas... In the US, many individuals have adopted a "victim mentality" and blame others for their circumstance. Prohairesis is the antidote to this mindset as practicing it involves recognizing self accountability and control over one's own life. That is not to say that every problem is preventable, but one should recognize that many components of their life fall within their own volition and thus can improve their situation with effort and willpower.
June 29, 2024
I like Epictetus. Sure his theological underpinnings and continual use of the word “God” may be a bit of a turn off. BUT the ethics and the focus upon focusing one’s attention on perfecting their volition and deciphering between what is up to us and what is outside our ability to influence is timeless and practicable. It seems like a lot of work, but I can see how it would lead to inner peace and tranquility as well as outwardly being a better person to those around you.
This book definitely isn’t a beginner’s introduction to stoic philosophy. It is more for someone who has read some of the primary sources and now needs some academic context. I haven’t read such an academic book since graduating college and it was a bit difficult to slog through parts.
Long’s focus is to show that Epictetus was not just any other stoic parroting the teachings of the old masters of the school (like Zeno or Chrysippus). Rather that Epictetus was highly original, especially in his emphasis on prohairesis (English translation is difficult but “volition” is Long’s favored interpretation). He also shows, quite convincingly, how Epictetus was heavily influenced (more than previous stoics) by Plato’s Socrates. He quotes from Plato’s works extensively but only where Socrates is concerned and not where Plato starts going off on the forms and all that.
This book definitely isn’t a beginner’s introduction to stoic philosophy. It is more for someone who has read some of the primary sources and now needs some academic context. I haven’t read such an academic book since graduating college and it was a bit difficult to slog through parts.
Long’s focus is to show that Epictetus was not just any other stoic parroting the teachings of the old masters of the school (like Zeno or Chrysippus). Rather that Epictetus was highly original, especially in his emphasis on prohairesis (English translation is difficult but “volition” is Long’s favored interpretation). He also shows, quite convincingly, how Epictetus was heavily influenced (more than previous stoics) by Plato’s Socrates. He quotes from Plato’s works extensively but only where Socrates is concerned and not where Plato starts going off on the forms and all that.
January 22, 2023
Excellent analysis of Epictetus by A.A. Long.
However, it didn't impact me as much as Pierre Hadot's "La citadelle intérieure", and I didn't learn many new things about Stoicism as I already knew a lot.
Long describes Epictetus' Stoicism with 4 themes: freedom, judgement, autonomy and integrity. I'm not sure this is the best way to describe Stoicism though.
An important thing that Long remarks is that Epictetus is Socratic. Stoicism follows the Socratic tradition.
The most noteworthy element of the book is the set of new translations of many different fragments of Epictetus' Discourses. Unlike Robin Hard's translation, Long separates the lines of the imaginary or real interlocutor of Epictetus, making the discourses easier to understand.
However, it didn't impact me as much as Pierre Hadot's "La citadelle intérieure", and I didn't learn many new things about Stoicism as I already knew a lot.
Long describes Epictetus' Stoicism with 4 themes: freedom, judgement, autonomy and integrity. I'm not sure this is the best way to describe Stoicism though.
An important thing that Long remarks is that Epictetus is Socratic. Stoicism follows the Socratic tradition.
The most noteworthy element of the book is the set of new translations of many different fragments of Epictetus' Discourses. Unlike Robin Hard's translation, Long separates the lines of the imaginary or real interlocutor of Epictetus, making the discourses easier to understand.
July 25, 2023
Loved it. Read the Discourses, then read this. Read the Discourses again (preferably different translation). Whole new book. Tony Long is able to draw out new ways to grasp the concepts of Epictetus you may not have thought of upon first read of the Discourses or Enchiridion. Required reading for a deeper understanding of either.
February 17, 2025
A well-researched, considered, and articulate scholarly work that analyzes in methodical detail the ideas of the most enduring and extant of the Stoic philosophers, Epictetus. This text is likely required reading for university Philosophy courses, and it appropriately belongs in the library of any serious student of Stoicism.
July 1, 2025
This book is pretty high-level, and it’s a very, very deep dive and all of the nuanced language that Epictetus uses. And also how much of what Epictetus teaches comes from a strain of Socrates. Excellent book.
April 13, 2020
A tough read. Great details. A bit too intelligent for me ha.
June 28, 2024
A great way to chew through Epictetus again after reading him.
July 16, 2008
Nice light reading on the very interesting Stoic author, and a good introduction to his work if you've never read any of it. Not a particularly challenging or scholarly book, though, seems to have been aimed at a more popular audience. It drags a bit in the middle where Long emphasizes the pedagogical significance of Epictetus a bit more than I cared for. But I learned some things.
February 6, 2011
Only got about half-way through this. Interesting in places, but way too academic for my tastes.
August 14, 2016
Insightful. But a lot of ink over a philosophy that's supposed to be lived.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews