Epictetus quotes, books and biography
Epictetus Biography
Epictetus ( AD 50 – 135), Stoic philosopher. He was born a slave, once emancipated he devoted himself to philosophy. With other philosophers he had to leave Rome by decree of Diocletian (94). From his oral teaching, his disciple Arrianus wrote the Discourses: a set of lessons from the master, and Enchiridion: a collection of Stoic maxims.
For Epictetus in each of us is the seed of virtue, virtue that we will only reach by living according to nature, that is, according to reason. Mastering the passions to achieve imperturbability and becoming self-masters is the goal of the Stoics.
Epictetus Books
The Enchiridion or Manual is one of the fundamentals works about Stoicism and is recommended for newcomers to this philosophy. It summarize the thought of Epictetus. It´s a distillation of Epictetus’s teachings and an instructional manual for a tranquil life. Full of practical advice, this work offers guidelines for those seeking contentment as well as for those who have already made some progress in that direction.
Best Epictetus Quotes
People are not disturbed by things, but by the views they take of them.
Epictetus - Enchiridion
Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.
Epictetus - Enchiridion
For your part, do not desire to be a general, or a senator, or a consul, but to be free; and the only way to this is a disregard of things which lie not within our own power
Epictetus - Enchiridion