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dorothy_gale's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, this had one too many translations. It was translated at one point, and then this version was "rendered into contemporary English" in 2017. It seemed they may have been loose, but I haven't read the original to know. The topics were broad and the advice was high level -- not my kind of book.
matijao's review against another edition
5.0
Sam Torode interpretations/translations are real good, makes for an extremely easy read
matijao's review against another edition
5.0
Sam Torode interpretations/translations are real good, makes for an extremely easy read
gamerboy09pc's review against another edition
4.0
The content of this little book may be dismissed as common sense. But consider -
"Common sense is not so common." - Voltaire
Even if we forget for one second, what Voltaire had to say. I believe there is still a vital difference between 'knowing' things and being able to regularly apply them in your life.
Knowledge -> Realization -> Wisdom (Actualization)
In the age of data and knowledge, everyone claims to know a lot about everything. But what's the use if it doesn't somehow help you in your life.
Philosophy to me is not just about knowing things. I do not want to rush to understand complex ideologies, if I haven't yet mastered the basics. As presented in this book -
"The whole point of learning is to live out the teachings."
"The first topic of philosophy is the practical application of principles. In most schools of philosophy, however, they spend all their time on arguments and proofs—and neglect entirely the first. They can explain in academic and scholarly terms exactly why lying is wrong—yet they routinely lie."
"Philosophy is for living, not just learning."
This book presents in a great manner the opportunity to exercise wonderful ideas, some that I am
already aware of and learn more new ones. The author presents the ideas of the great
stoic philosopher Epictetus in a very accessible and understandable manner, that
a lay person like me can reflect upon, and bring significant changes to my life.
And it's a very short read.
Important insights from the book(reducing further from the author's reduction). Agree/Disagree upon reflection.
• Release attachment to all things outside your control.
• For peace, freedom and happiness, let things go that are out of your control and power.
• Do not despise and desire things out of your control. Avoid such disappointments.
• Keep in mind the true nature and importance of things in your life. Mortal and immortal.
• Premeditate and prepare for every act or experience. Go in prepared, for the possible undesirable events and consequences.
• It's not the thing itself, but the view you form of it that affects you. Move towards learning not to blame anyone.
• Do not claim merit and take satisfaction in achievements not your own.
• Be willing to shed distractions that affect the vision to your goals.
• Expect things to not be well, but hope you can overcome them.
• The only thing that holds back your will, is your will itself.
• Battle temptation with self-control, pain with fortitude and revulsion with patience.
• View loss as giving back to its source and not as something being taken away from you. You are a borrower, not the owner.
• Learn to accept annoyances. Let go the anger and anxiety. Do not give people the power to upset you.
• On the path of philosophical learning, be skeptical of yourself. Be content to be considered plain and foolish.
• Think of life as a banquet. Accept whats offered with gratitude, be patient for what you want, and don't complain if you don't get it.
• Think of life as a play, with you as an actor with limited control and ability to alter your fate.
• Learn to be able to tolerate provocations and insults, and not be affected by them.
• Remember you are mortal, utilize time the best way you can and recognize whats actually important in your life.
• Do not adopt any air of superiority. Forgo pride.
• Respect yourself and follow your philosophy with honesty. Do not fear others opinions.
• Do not chase power or fame. Find your significance within yourself.
• Do not envy the positive in others that you do not share.
• Maintain consistency in your views of experiences, irrespective of who they happen to.
• Evaluate and consider the consequences of your decisions. Pursue your vocation, wholeheartedly.
• Fulfill your own duties to the best of your abilities before judging your commander.
• Be the same person in public as in private. Hold in contempt the sin, not the sinner.
• Do not act on impulses, step back and wait till the enchantment fades.
• In reality most thing are gray, rather than black or white. Look at the pros and cons.
• Do not let your appetite exceed your need. Desire knows no bounds.
• Virtue, honor and self-respect are true marks of beauty.
• Care for your body as needed, but focus energy and efforts into cultivating your mind.
• If someone mistakes truth for falsehood, the truth is not harmed,
but only the person is deceived. Their perception shouldn't hurt you.
• Do not be sure of your judgement if it lacks complete understanding.
• Do not preach your philosophy, show by example. Embody it. Listen and learn from others.
• Do not make a spectacle of your progress.
• Consider yourself a student, never an expert. Take responsibility in your failures. Act with calm deliberation.
• Point of learning is to live out the teachings.
• Follow unwaveringly what reason tells you is the best course. Face every situation—promising pain or pleasure, glory or disgrace
—with the courage of a soldier in battle.
• Apply principles. Understand reasoning behind them. Verify them with logic.
"Common sense is not so common." - Voltaire
Even if we forget for one second, what Voltaire had to say. I believe there is still a vital difference between 'knowing' things and being able to regularly apply them in your life.
Knowledge -> Realization -> Wisdom (Actualization)
In the age of data and knowledge, everyone claims to know a lot about everything. But what's the use if it doesn't somehow help you in your life.
Philosophy to me is not just about knowing things. I do not want to rush to understand complex ideologies, if I haven't yet mastered the basics. As presented in this book -
"The whole point of learning is to live out the teachings."
"The first topic of philosophy is the practical application of principles. In most schools of philosophy, however, they spend all their time on arguments and proofs—and neglect entirely the first. They can explain in academic and scholarly terms exactly why lying is wrong—yet they routinely lie."
"Philosophy is for living, not just learning."
This book presents in a great manner the opportunity to exercise wonderful ideas, some that I am
already aware of and learn more new ones. The author presents the ideas of the great
stoic philosopher Epictetus in a very accessible and understandable manner, that
a lay person like me can reflect upon, and bring significant changes to my life.
And it's a very short read.
Important insights from the book(reducing further from the author's reduction). Agree/Disagree upon reflection.
• Release attachment to all things outside your control.
• For peace, freedom and happiness, let things go that are out of your control and power.
• Do not despise and desire things out of your control. Avoid such disappointments.
• Keep in mind the true nature and importance of things in your life. Mortal and immortal.
• Premeditate and prepare for every act or experience. Go in prepared, for the possible undesirable events and consequences.
• It's not the thing itself, but the view you form of it that affects you. Move towards learning not to blame anyone.
• Do not claim merit and take satisfaction in achievements not your own.
• Be willing to shed distractions that affect the vision to your goals.
• Expect things to not be well, but hope you can overcome them.
• The only thing that holds back your will, is your will itself.
• Battle temptation with self-control, pain with fortitude and revulsion with patience.
• View loss as giving back to its source and not as something being taken away from you. You are a borrower, not the owner.
• Learn to accept annoyances. Let go the anger and anxiety. Do not give people the power to upset you.
• On the path of philosophical learning, be skeptical of yourself. Be content to be considered plain and foolish.
• Think of life as a banquet. Accept whats offered with gratitude, be patient for what you want, and don't complain if you don't get it.
• Think of life as a play, with you as an actor with limited control and ability to alter your fate.
• Learn to be able to tolerate provocations and insults, and not be affected by them.
• Remember you are mortal, utilize time the best way you can and recognize whats actually important in your life.
• Do not adopt any air of superiority. Forgo pride.
• Respect yourself and follow your philosophy with honesty. Do not fear others opinions.
• Do not chase power or fame. Find your significance within yourself.
• Do not envy the positive in others that you do not share.
• Maintain consistency in your views of experiences, irrespective of who they happen to.
• Evaluate and consider the consequences of your decisions. Pursue your vocation, wholeheartedly.
• Fulfill your own duties to the best of your abilities before judging your commander.
• Be the same person in public as in private. Hold in contempt the sin, not the sinner.
• Do not act on impulses, step back and wait till the enchantment fades.
• In reality most thing are gray, rather than black or white. Look at the pros and cons.
• Do not let your appetite exceed your need. Desire knows no bounds.
• Virtue, honor and self-respect are true marks of beauty.
• Care for your body as needed, but focus energy and efforts into cultivating your mind.
• If someone mistakes truth for falsehood, the truth is not harmed,
but only the person is deceived. Their perception shouldn't hurt you.
• Do not be sure of your judgement if it lacks complete understanding.
• Do not preach your philosophy, show by example. Embody it. Listen and learn from others.
• Do not make a spectacle of your progress.
• Consider yourself a student, never an expert. Take responsibility in your failures. Act with calm deliberation.
• Point of learning is to live out the teachings.
• Follow unwaveringly what reason tells you is the best course. Face every situation—promising pain or pleasure, glory or disgrace
—with the courage of a soldier in battle.
• Apply principles. Understand reasoning behind them. Verify them with logic.
miharekar's review against another edition
5.0
60 pages of distilled philosophy. You can read it in 30 mins. And then read it again. And again. 1900 years old knowledge but repacked in modern English. Can not recommend it enough.
beeostrowsky's review against another edition
4.0
Short and to the point. Truly one of the wisest Vulcans ever born on Earth.
rixx's review against another edition
4.0
I had a couple of stressful weeks, with both positive and negative experiences with wonderful people. When I start losing my equilibrium (ok, no, when I have irrevocably lost my equilibrium), I sometimes go back and read **The Manual**, a very short, 50-pages-at-most read of the Stoic principles by Epictetus.
I don't agree with some parts of Stoic philosophy, mostly regarding the natural order of things and how people connect to one another, but boy are they ever good at reminding you that you have a sphere of influence, and attaching yourself too hard to things you can't control leads to suffering. The consequences can be disputed, but in any case this book is short, insightful, and can provide a calming influence in just a short evening read.
I don't agree with some parts of Stoic philosophy, mostly regarding the natural order of things and how people connect to one another, but boy are they ever good at reminding you that you have a sphere of influence, and attaching yourself too hard to things you can't control leads to suffering. The consequences can be disputed, but in any case this book is short, insightful, and can provide a calming influence in just a short evening read.