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Summary: the wisdom missing from self-help books
Review: This is one of the rare books that doesn't just provide advice on how to make relationships better, better your career, etc. It is not a self-help book! It is a book of wisdom based on the reflections and teachings of a great philosopher. I was impressed.
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Summary: Good for practical guidence, not for a Classicist
Review: This translation is accessible and practical for folks who want guidence from simple universal truths about our lives. I have actually recommended as a tool for career development for folks in business.It is kind of interesting to watch the polarization in the folks writing reviews on this book. The classicists are disappointed, but Ms Labell's audience is clearly intended to be for those who are interested in the message not the study of greco-roman philosophy. To the classicists I would recommend the Loeb version of the diatribes.
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Summary: the best way to spend your life without wasting your time
Review: we don't have a lot of books from Epictetus and in fact this one is the only one. Pascal thought that only two authors were worth reading ,Epictetus and Montaigne. he was right.if you do not want to waste your life ,if you want to be happier in your life and if you are sometimes depressive ,you must read that book.This book changed my life and i'm sure it will change your whole existence.
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Summary: Discover a great Philosopher
Review: While I buy and own hundreds and possibly even a thousand books, the fact is, only 10% probably draw me back monthly to read and reread what was written. Most get read and reread every year or maybe a couple times a year. This is in the 10% group. This small treat of a book is a take off or elaboration on the works of Epictetus the noble philosopher who was born a slave around AD 55 in eastern Rome. A man who was concerned little about the class of people but in all people. His question was basically "How can I live a happy, fulfilling life?" He left no written record himself but was blessed to have a devoted pupil the great historian Fluvius Arrian who wrote so much of what his mentor had taught him. While I disagree 100% with a couple of the "lessons" or "truths" like page 57 Avoid Casual Sex or sex before marriage. This is an issue that is so old and ignores the fact that not everyone wants much needs to marry, or that amongst us are a few who can handle sex with more than one, not to mention the historical aspect of "lovers". Having said that I firmly believe in the lessons of the pursuit of wisdom attracts critics, and avoiding other peoples negative views and choices. Seeking to please is a perilous trap. Or how about knowing that not saying anything is often saying something profound? Or how about the lesson that says Learn to mind your own business. Page 20 Disregard What Doesn't Concern You or i.e. gossip is a habit of someone lacking in depth and social skills. Or on page 76 that Living Wisdom is More important than knowing all about it. Lessons like knowing the value of etiquette and that it is important to not play into passing fads. Page 20 Conform Your Wishes To Reality: Understand what freedom really is and how it is achieved. Freedom isn't the right or ability to do whatever you please. Page 92 Be Suspicious of Convention: Take charge of your own thinking. Rouse yourself from the daze of unexamined habit. That there is no inherent virtue in new ideas, but judge ideas and opportunities on the basis of whether they are life giving. page 91 The Virtuous Are Invisible. And for Amazon book fans page 97 The Right Use of Books: Don't just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be more discriminating and reflective person. Page 100 The Virtuous Are Consistent, even when it isn't convenient comfortable or easy. Reminds me of the road less traveled poem.
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