A book to return to
Discourses
The main takeaway
Give careful attention to your judgements and choices, then practise your principles in everyday life.
The short summary
Recorded by his pupil Arrian, these discussions explore integrity amid uncertainty, criticism and changing circumstances. Epictetus presents philosophy as a daily discipline: examine your judgements, understand the limits of your control and practise your principles in ordinary life.
One idea at a time
Key takeaways.
Idea 1
Begin with agency
Epictetus asks which parts of a situation depend on your judgement and action, and which depend on outside events.
Idea 2
Examine the impression
An immediate impression can feel convincing. His approach asks you to examine the judgement attached to it before acting.
Idea 3
Practise during the day
He treats improvement as something visible in how you behave, handle setbacks and make everyday choices.
An everyday example
An illustrative example: a cancelled train
A train cancellation disrupts your morning. You check another route, tell your colleague and adjust the meeting, attending to the actions still available.
Sources and credits
Ideas credited to Epictetus · Recorded by Arrian. This page uses original wording and an original everyday example.
Ancient Stoic ethics, including religious assumptions particular to Epictetus. Translations and selections vary; Shahzad has not specified an edition.
MIT Internet Classics Archive: Discourses Discourses, Book I: choice and progress