The Golden Sayings of Epictetus - with the Hymn of Cleanthes

by Epictetus, Hastings Crossley (Translator and Arranger)

THE GOLDEN SAYINGS OF EPICTETUS - 1912 - PREFACE THIS little volunle aims at presenting the fruit of Epictetus-what are, for us, his best and most penetrating things-in such a shape as may most commend them to English readers. That these noble utterances deserve all that the resource and beauty of the English Tongue can do to give them a worthy setting, will hardly be questioned. And to selection in general the sayings of Epictetus lend themselves with singular facility.

236 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2007

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

[Joseph Knecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

True wisdom is relevant thousands of years in the future. This book contains much of it.


God hath made all things in the world, nay, the world itself, free from hindrance and perfect, and its parts for the use of the whole. No other creature is capable of comprehending His administration thereof; but the reasonable being Man possesses faculties for the consideration of all these things— not only that he is himself a part, but what part he is, and how it is meet that the parts should give place to the whole. Nor is this all. Being naturally constituted noble, magnanimous, and free, he sees that the things which surround him are of two kinds. Some are free from hindrance and in the power of the will. Others are subject to hindrance, and depend on the will of other men. If then he place his own good, his own best interest, only in that which is free from hindrance and in his power, he will be free, tranquil, happy, unharmed, noble-hearted, and pious; giving thanks for all things unto God, finding fault with nothing that comes to pass, laying no charge against anything.

Asked, Who is the rich man? Epictetus replied, "He who is content."

No man is free who is not master of himself

[Stifynsemons · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.125 stars, I liked it and might read again sometime.

Epictetus' sayings are a mix of the succint, wise, and confusing. There are allusions to other Greek's ideas and actions, along with mythological references, and 'current events' that are lost in time, at least to me.

Some samples:
"a man can only lose what he has." (XI)
"IN THEORY IT is easy to convince an ignorant person: in actual life, men not only object to offer themselves to be convinced, but hate the man who has convinced them." (XLVII)
"If any should make account of thee, distrust thyself." (CLVIII)
"IF ANY BE unhappy, let him remember that he is unhappy by reason of himself alone." (CXXII)
"IF YOU ARE told that such an one speaks ill of you, make no defence against what was said, but answer, He surely knew not my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these only!" (CLXIX)

[Barry Cunningham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of some historical importance I suppose, since it is in Volume II of the Harvard Classics.
Still, I found Epictetus to be an insufferable twit.
Oligarchs will love him because of his message that victims and slaves should meekly accept their lot. Some of us differ, but don’t beg.

[Mike Hattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I added notes to my journal of some of his sayings. Interesting to see his viewpoints on Stoic and Cynic philosophy.