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The Enchiridion: Adapted for the Contemporary Reader
The Enchiridion or Manual of Epictetus (Enchiridion is Greek for "that which is held in the hand") is a short manual of Stoic ethical advice compiled by the Greek philosopher Epictetus.
This manual has been carefully adapted into modern English to allow for easy reading.
This manual has been carefully adapted into modern English to allow for easy reading.
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
77 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2017
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139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 5, 2022
By Epictetus; translated by James Harris
Obviously a classic, and enduring despite whatever I might say.
Having read a fair amount about Stoicism, I was surprised at how dark Epictetus' Enchiridion is.
I appreciate the Stoic idea of dying before your die, and not getting your hopes up, but I found little else.
I liked how accessible the book is, and especially how many of the 2nd Century examples made perfect sense today.
I probably won't read more Epictetus. I might try Seneca next.
Obviously a classic, and enduring despite whatever I might say.
Having read a fair amount about Stoicism, I was surprised at how dark Epictetus' Enchiridion is.
I appreciate the Stoic idea of dying before your die, and not getting your hopes up, but I found little else.
I liked how accessible the book is, and especially how many of the 2nd Century examples made perfect sense today.
I probably won't read more Epictetus. I might try Seneca next.
December 15, 2025
I’ve recently been getting more interested in Stoic philosophy. It started after listening to Steven West’s Philosophize This!—specifically episode #190, where he talks about Martha Nussbaum’s take on Stoicism into the modern day fusion of Neo-Stoicism, and then episode #236 on Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Those two episodes gave me just enough of an overview of Stoic thought and practice to pique my interest and make me want to explore the main texts for myself.
The Enchiridion AKA, “The Handbook”, by Epictetus, is often recommended as a starting point, and it makes sense why. The book isn’t structured like a traditional text is; it reads more like a compact pamphlet made up of 51 short sections, each roughly a page long. Because of that format, it feels like a collection of distilled reminders; brief and concentrated.
One section that really stuck with me is section 3, where Epictetus says:
“If you have a favorite mug, remember that it is only a mug—that you are fond of it. Then if it breaks, you can bear it.”
He uses the cup to point towards something bigger: everything and everyone we love is subject to change and loss. A metaphor for the reality of impermanence and our mortality.
Strangely enough, this idea shows up in Adventure Time, too. The show features a book also called The Enchiridion as Bill the hero’s handbook (not sure if that connects back to Epictetus directly or if it’s just a coincidence).
It relates though.
In Season 5, Episode 16, Jake the Dog says:
“You see this cup? It’s my favorite cup.”
*chucks it out the window*
“Now it’s gone, and I don’t care about it anymore.”
An epic moment!
Overall, The Enchiridion is a brief, compact yet powerful introduction to the Stoic practice—full of pithy aphorisms. It’s the kind of book you can read quickly but sit with for a long time or just read a page daily.
The Enchiridion AKA, “The Handbook”, by Epictetus, is often recommended as a starting point, and it makes sense why. The book isn’t structured like a traditional text is; it reads more like a compact pamphlet made up of 51 short sections, each roughly a page long. Because of that format, it feels like a collection of distilled reminders; brief and concentrated.
One section that really stuck with me is section 3, where Epictetus says:
“If you have a favorite mug, remember that it is only a mug—that you are fond of it. Then if it breaks, you can bear it.”
He uses the cup to point towards something bigger: everything and everyone we love is subject to change and loss. A metaphor for the reality of impermanence and our mortality.
Strangely enough, this idea shows up in Adventure Time, too. The show features a book also called The Enchiridion as Bill the hero’s handbook (not sure if that connects back to Epictetus directly or if it’s just a coincidence).
It relates though.
In Season 5, Episode 16, Jake the Dog says:
“You see this cup? It’s my favorite cup.”
*chucks it out the window*
“Now it’s gone, and I don’t care about it anymore.”
An epic moment!
Overall, The Enchiridion is a brief, compact yet powerful introduction to the Stoic practice—full of pithy aphorisms. It’s the kind of book you can read quickly but sit with for a long time or just read a page daily.
February 8, 2021
I just recently and kind of by accident got into ancient philosophy, and by chance the first philosopher I really learned about was Epictetus.
He won me over & became my #1 fave philosopher with this quote:
“If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.”
- & otherwise, the rest of the book was well spoken, informative, and intelligent. I definitley feel like I'm a bit of a better (or at least wiser) individual after reading it.
My only complaint? It's too short for me.
He won me over & became my #1 fave philosopher with this quote:
“If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.”
- & otherwise, the rest of the book was well spoken, informative, and intelligent. I definitley feel like I'm a bit of a better (or at least wiser) individual after reading it.
My only complaint? It's too short for me.
May 1, 2022
Easy read. Don't expect that the read will be particularly engaging or elaborate, as it's essentially a historical document (bar adaptations), and the writing style is parable focused as probably the writings were back then.
In a nutshell: We become free when we don’t seek, nor seek to avoid, what we can’t control. We should focus on what’s within our own character and nothing else. Other people’s opinions, their appreciation for us, the status they may confer on us, how they may reward us, are all external and fickle. Furthermore, we become slaves to others when we place on them the power to give and remove that which we desire.
In a nutshell: We become free when we don’t seek, nor seek to avoid, what we can’t control. We should focus on what’s within our own character and nothing else. Other people’s opinions, their appreciation for us, the status they may confer on us, how they may reward us, are all external and fickle. Furthermore, we become slaves to others when we place on them the power to give and remove that which we desire.
July 30, 2021
Quick, useful read
Quick, useful read; easy to understand, digest, and apply. More of a modern translation of the content, I think. I’d be interested in a less contemporary version also, only to see if I interpret it differently than this contemporary version.
Quick, useful read; easy to understand, digest, and apply. More of a modern translation of the content, I think. I’d be interested in a less contemporary version also, only to see if I interpret it differently than this contemporary version.
July 23, 2022
Enlightening
From the second I started reading, I couldn't stop. I believe the lessons written by Epictetus, Seneca, and The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, to name a few, would greatly enhance the value of anyone's life, if practiced and lived properly.
From the second I started reading, I couldn't stop. I believe the lessons written by Epictetus, Seneca, and The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, to name a few, would greatly enhance the value of anyone's life, if practiced and lived properly.
January 28, 2023
A very interesting read into the ideas of the philosopher, not particularly engaging nor very informative and somewhat cliché at times.
Nevertheless, this short idea does a good job on stating some universal principles to be applied in order to tame a good character and courteous manners.
Nevertheless, this short idea does a good job on stating some universal principles to be applied in order to tame a good character and courteous manners.
February 10, 2024
Stoicism is an excellent introduction to philosophy and genuinely came at an impactful time in my life. While it is not the end of all of thinking, this is such a great easy guide to stoicism, which is a great practice in life.
October 31, 2024
Excellent wisdom from ancient times to consider about life.
A thoughtful collection if wisdom from a an an ancient Roman philosopher to ponder about and apply to one's life today. These kernels if wisdom are timeless for all to use.
A thoughtful collection if wisdom from a an an ancient Roman philosopher to ponder about and apply to one's life today. These kernels if wisdom are timeless for all to use.
November 1, 2024
A Handbook for Practical Living
Epictetus lays out simple, but transformative Stoic principles for us to live a virtuous and happy life. We can take his words and immediately apply them daily to our thoughts, words, and actions to correct our patterns of behavior.
Epictetus lays out simple, but transformative Stoic principles for us to live a virtuous and happy life. We can take his words and immediately apply them daily to our thoughts, words, and actions to correct our patterns of behavior.
May 30, 2022
Good
I did enjoy a lot of this book and I liked the way it was broken down to fit modern day life but some passages I think could have been altered a little more.
I did enjoy a lot of this book and I liked the way it was broken down to fit modern day life but some passages I think could have been altered a little more.
November 16, 2023
Insightful and easy to read
A great lesson in every chapter, easy to understand, a must read. No doubt I’ll be picking it up it again.
A great lesson in every chapter, easy to understand, a must read. No doubt I’ll be picking it up it again.
March 28, 2024
great short reading
It’s a good book for someone who isn’t familiar with philosophy. A great introduction.after this book I dwelled into Socrates.
It’s a good book for someone who isn’t familiar with philosophy. A great introduction.after this book I dwelled into Socrates.
Read
May 22, 2024Wild interpretation of grief for a modern reader
June 23, 2024
Short and Sweet
This little writing is filled with gems. Epictetus is a fabulous thinker, reaching us across two thousand years. Consider what he says.
This little writing is filled with gems. Epictetus is a fabulous thinker, reaching us across two thousand years. Consider what he says.
July 30, 2024
Really good book.
August 10, 2024
Will read many times over
This was an excellent read that contains many principles that can be implemented into anyones life to live more virtuously. So good!
This was an excellent read that contains many principles that can be implemented into anyones life to live more virtuously. So good!
December 29, 2024
a treasure of ancient literature
Thank you for this excellent version of this famous work. If you look carefully, you will become your own critic. The best kind of critic.
Thank you for this excellent version of this famous work. If you look carefully, you will become your own critic. The best kind of critic.
May 14, 2025
Ü loved it.
Control only what
You can control
Control only what
You can control
June 30, 2017
** I was given this audio book for free from Audiobook Boom and the author, James Harris for an honest review**
Title: The Enchiridion: Adapted for the Contemporary Reader
Author: Epictetus
Translator/Author: James Harris
Narrator: Jason Sprenger
Length: 46 mins
Publisher: James Harris
Date: 6-16-2017
The Enchiridion or Manual of Epictetus (Enchiridion is Greek for "that which is held in the hand") is a short manual of stoic ethical advice compiled by the Greek philosopher Epictetus.
This manual has been carefully adapted into modern English to allow for easy listening.
Having already listened to another audio book version of The Enchiridion I have to say that even though I did enjoy listening to that version, I enjoyed this one better. Mostly James Harris's adaptation of the original works, makes for a smoother understand of the topics. The over all message wasn't lost in the words trying to describe them. With this modern twist anyone can listen to this and understand what Epictetus was trying to say.
Jason Sprenger does an amazing job of narrating. This comes across more as a grand speech than a philosophic manual of how to live, which is a complement. I have come across so many classic novels turned into audio books and the person reading them makes them into a boring lecture or tries way to hard to give an impression of the author. Sprenger gives this modern twist just the right amount of enthusiasm to keep you entertained.
If you would like to understand The Enchiridion or want to try and apply it to your modern life currently, then this adapted work by James Harris is a must add to your audio book library.
Title: The Enchiridion: Adapted for the Contemporary Reader
Author: Epictetus
Translator/Author: James Harris
Narrator: Jason Sprenger
Length: 46 mins
Publisher: James Harris
Date: 6-16-2017
The Enchiridion or Manual of Epictetus (Enchiridion is Greek for "that which is held in the hand") is a short manual of stoic ethical advice compiled by the Greek philosopher Epictetus.
This manual has been carefully adapted into modern English to allow for easy listening.
Having already listened to another audio book version of The Enchiridion I have to say that even though I did enjoy listening to that version, I enjoyed this one better. Mostly James Harris's adaptation of the original works, makes for a smoother understand of the topics. The over all message wasn't lost in the words trying to describe them. With this modern twist anyone can listen to this and understand what Epictetus was trying to say.
Jason Sprenger does an amazing job of narrating. This comes across more as a grand speech than a philosophic manual of how to live, which is a complement. I have come across so many classic novels turned into audio books and the person reading them makes them into a boring lecture or tries way to hard to give an impression of the author. Sprenger gives this modern twist just the right amount of enthusiasm to keep you entertained.
If you would like to understand The Enchiridion or want to try and apply it to your modern life currently, then this adapted work by James Harris is a must add to your audio book library.
June 29, 2025
Epictetus being born into what was essentially chattel slavery kinda sold me on reading this over Meditations as a starter. If a man can be birthed into that life and still have the means to carry himself through it all, I find it admirable.
People conflate stoicism with being non-reactive and emotionally stale, which is quite far from the truth. Epictetus and other philosophers within the school teach us to merely be more in touch with what we choose to affect our minds on a day to day basis.
It’s impossible to not react to things going on in our lives. Not reacting to something is just pure apathy, and being apathetic just means being cold. This is not the goal of Epictetus’ teachings, which encourages one to be both virtuous and compassionate.
It is absolutely normal to feel emotions as a human being. We cannot be indifferent without giving up our humanity. But whether we let those pure emotions control us and our actions, words, decisions without any further thought is up to us.
People conflate stoicism with being non-reactive and emotionally stale, which is quite far from the truth. Epictetus and other philosophers within the school teach us to merely be more in touch with what we choose to affect our minds on a day to day basis.
It’s impossible to not react to things going on in our lives. Not reacting to something is just pure apathy, and being apathetic just means being cold. This is not the goal of Epictetus’ teachings, which encourages one to be both virtuous and compassionate.
It is absolutely normal to feel emotions as a human being. We cannot be indifferent without giving up our humanity. But whether we let those pure emotions control us and our actions, words, decisions without any further thought is up to us.
November 26, 2020
Simple Terms
I have been exploring the Stoics in this season. Between Covid, heart surgery and getting laid off I need some vision of how to proceed and understand my life.
I have been exploring the Stoics in this season. Between Covid, heart surgery and getting laid off I need some vision of how to proceed and understand my life.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews