Lessons in Stoicism cover art

Lessons in Stoicism

What Ancient Philosophers Teach Us about How to Live

Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Lessons in Stoicism

By: John Sellars
Narrated by: Rupert Farley
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £7.76

Buy Now for £7.76

About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

What aspects of your life do you really control? What do you do when you cannot guarantee that things will turn out in your favour? And what can Stoicism teach us about how to live together?


In the past few years, Stoicism has been making a comeback. But what exactly did the Stoics believe? In Lessons in Stoicism, philosopher John Sellars weaves together the key ideas of the three great Roman Stoics - Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius - with snapshots of their fascinating lives, to show us how their ideas can help us today.

In vivid prose, Sellars shows how the works of these three Stoics have inspired readers ever since, speaking as they do to some of the perennial issues that face anyone trying to navigate their way through life. Their works, fundamentally, are about how to live - how to understand one's place in the world, how to cope when things don't go well, how to manage one's emotions and how to behave towards others.

Consoling and inspiring, Lessons in Stoicism is a deeply thoughtful guide to the philosophy of a valuable life.

Ancient Ethics & Morality Greek & Roman History Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Stoicism
All stars
Most relevant
this has been a great introduction into stoicism, informative and educational. cant wait too carry on

amazing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Even though it was philosophy from the ancients it seemed amazingly relevant to contemporary life. I chose it and listened as I hoped to glean tips on how to handle tricky external things that can sometimes be irritating, and I came away with a few good ideas about how to approach those incedents more easily. I could happily listen to it again, and probably will. His pace and spoken style is abundantly clear, and I thoroughly recommend it.

Helpful and inspiring

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I've read a lot of books on Stoicism and this is one of the best!

Fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The voiceover is brilliantly read, calming and not robotic like other books! Definitely a good intro to stoicism

Comforting listening and a great intro to stoicism

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

If you’re looking for a concise yet insightful introduction to Stoic philosophy, Stoicism is a solid choice. The book effectively distills the core principles of resilience, discipline, and rational thinking, making it accessible to both beginners and those already familiar with the philosophy. It draws on wisdom from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, providing practical applications for modern life.

However, the book may feel a bit surface-level for readers seeking a deeper dive into Stoic texts. While it’s well-structured and engaging, it sometimes lacks the depth and nuance found in the original writings of the Stoic philosophers.

The narration is clear and well-paced, making it an easy listen. Overall, Stoicism is a great starting point for anyone looking to incorporate Stoic principles into their daily life.

Stoicism is the way one should live.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews