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is_book_loring's review against another edition
3.0
It is a manual of ancient practical direction to a life of virtue and forbearance derived from Epictetus' doctrine, interpreted and presented in form of short, fast-read, straight-forward key ideas to fit contemporary needs of the modern existence with its confusion, anxiety and restlessness.
Nothing particularly life changing, but there is some good reasonable advices thorough out, nevertheless sometimes the manual repeats the same ideas, and at times also contradicted itself. The main idea of Epictetus' teaching is the belief that a happy life and a virtuous life are synonymous, that happiness and a fulfilled life comes from being good. Recognize what is within your control, what's not, stick to your own concerns, master your desires, take care the internal, ignore the external and you will never get hurt. it I imagine that this manual could either be the rock a person hang on to for dear life in storms or alienated them from the modern society by its unyieldingness of unattachment.
"Examine things as they appear to your own mind; objectively consider what is said by others, and then establish your own convictions."
"Goodness is and of itself is the practice and the reward. Why should we bother being good? To be good is to be happy; to be tranquil and worry-free."
Nothing particularly life changing, but there is some good reasonable advices thorough out, nevertheless sometimes the manual repeats the same ideas, and at times also contradicted itself. The main idea of Epictetus' teaching is the belief that a happy life and a virtuous life are synonymous, that happiness and a fulfilled life comes from being good. Recognize what is within your control, what's not, stick to your own concerns, master your desires, take care the internal, ignore the external and you will never get hurt. it I imagine that this manual could either be the rock a person hang on to for dear life in storms or alienated them from the modern society by its unyieldingness of unattachment.
"Examine things as they appear to your own mind; objectively consider what is said by others, and then establish your own convictions."
"Goodness is and of itself is the practice and the reward. Why should we bother being good? To be good is to be happy; to be tranquil and worry-free."
sarabookdragon's review against another edition
2.0
Some ideologies are interesting
Most are too philosophical.
Im not a person for these kind of pseudo-motivational books! I just cant with it.
A work colleague have given me this book and i was really excited to like it. But despite jow short it was, it dragged. I wasnt interested. Very general and very cheesy at points. Very theoretical.
Some things are too extreme, i dont agree with , not fully to be completely honest.
Not something i would recommend
Most are too philosophical.
Im not a person for these kind of pseudo-motivational books! I just cant with it.
A work colleague have given me this book and i was really excited to like it. But despite jow short it was, it dragged. I wasnt interested. Very general and very cheesy at points. Very theoretical.
Some things are too extreme, i dont agree with , not fully to be completely honest.
Not something i would recommend
klutzyclocks's review against another edition
3.0
Classic and time honored advice passed through the ages.
ahart1's review against another edition
5.0
This book should be read by everyone for the perspective it gives on life and how it should be lived. This collection of ideas by Epictetus are wonderful and well interpreted. Although these ideas are not the whole sum of his attitude toward life, it does show exactly how he feels by instructing the reader to do as he does This book is not just something you read and leave alone, it provokes thought and encourages the change of lifestyle. With each section labeled clearly it can be skimmed through in certain areas if the reader is looking for advice on a particular part of life. The book was wonderful to read since the tone was a very calm and felt transcendental. You find his ideas overlap into more than one section of the book because Epictetus applies certain values to many daily situations and wordly outcomes. I recommend this book as a thought provoking read that will clear the busy mind and soothe the worries.
rymdkejsaren's review against another edition
4.0
I read both this edition and the "original" Manual For Living, which should definitely be designated as different books here on Goodreads. I enjoyed LeBell's modernisation of the text, which felt like it kept the core of Epictetus' Stoicism while also managing to smoothen it out a bit and bring it into the modern world. But I recommend reading the original texts as well as the perspective it brings is valuable; not the least of which is the fact that the challenges we face today are so strikingly similar to those of Epictetus' world, nearly two millennia ago.
Some of the core values of Stoicism can be tough to swallow for people living in modern western culture. It's often a mistake to take it too directly, but once you've read a few of the different Stoics and begin to grok the general mindset, even some of the advice that was initially very off-putting (like relating to a lost family member like a broken cup) begin to make more sense. I find it also helps to have an understanding of non-attachment as found in many South Asian philosophies like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism, to which Stoicism bear some striking similarities.
And even if you don't find all of it useful, I'm sure you'll find a few of the entries deeply insightful. I'll leave you with an excerpt that resonated deeply with me:
Some of the core values of Stoicism can be tough to swallow for people living in modern western culture. It's often a mistake to take it too directly, but once you've read a few of the different Stoics and begin to grok the general mindset, even some of the advice that was initially very off-putting (like relating to a lost family member like a broken cup) begin to make more sense. I find it also helps to have an understanding of non-attachment as found in many South Asian philosophies like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism, to which Stoicism bear some striking similarities.
And even if you don't find all of it useful, I'm sure you'll find a few of the entries deeply insightful. I'll leave you with an excerpt that resonated deeply with me:
Now is the time to get serious about your living ideals. Once you have determined the spiritual principles you wish to exemplify, abide by these rules as if they were laws, as if it were indeed sinful to compromise them. ...
How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? ... The longer you wait, the more you will be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself.
tommyhousworth's review against another edition
5.0
A tiny little atom bomb of wisdom. Learned about Epictetus in Tom Wolfe's "A Man in Full", and sought out this book.
The text is brief - could even be a pocket book, if they chose to do so. But the teachings are profound and practical. Now if I could only live by them...
The text is brief - could even be a pocket book, if they chose to do so. But the teachings are profound and practical. Now if I could only live by them...