Showing results by author "Epictetus" in Relationships, Parenting & Personal Development

Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher. This short "handbook", which was actually written down by one of his pupils, is a guide to daily living. It has been read by countless people over the centuries because of its sensibility and its easy application to daily living. Unlike some of his forefathers in philosophy, like Plato and Aristotle, he focuses on how to practically apply oneself on a philosophical level.

The Art of War, As a Man Thinketh, Tao Te Ching, The Manual, and Self Reliance are five historical works that deal with self-development. The Art of War deals with military strategy, As a Man Thinketh is a self-help book, The Tao Te Ching is comprised of a series of meditations that reflect on the nature of the Tao, The Manual is a short manual of Stoic ethical advice, and Self Reliance is an essay about the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency.

The little book by Epictetus called Enchiridion or Manual has played a disproportionately large role in the rise of modern attitudes and modern philosophy. As soon as it had been translated into the vernacular languages, it became a best seller among independent intellectuals, among anti-Christian thinkers, and among philosophers of a subjective cast. Montaigne had a copy of the Enchiridion among his books. Pascal violently rejected the megalomaniac pride of the Stoic philosopher. Frederick the Great carried the book with him on all campaigns.