How To Read Epictetus (Enchiridion, Discourses)

Born a slave-he became one of the greatest philosophers to ever live.
Epictetus rose to become one of the most important Stoic philosophers, but the path to arrive at this accomplishment was fraught with difficulty. This video will teach you how to read Epictetus to gain your freedom and find happiness.
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He grew up as a slave to a wealthy man, who allowed him to study philosophy yet certain accounts argue that it was his master who crippled Epictetus at a young age. Luckily, when he was 33 years old, Epictetus was freed, and taught philosophy in Rome
As a respected teacher, Epictetus drew praise from some of the most respected scholars. Marcus Aurelius himself would be loaned a copy of Epictetus and thanks his mentor Junius Rusticus in Meditations for doing so. Despite his impressive pedigree, Epictetus lived a simple and humble life. He taught that philosophy is first and foremost a way of life, and only secondly, discussions of why we should live that way. His teachings stress above all that we should accept unconditionally anything that is outside of our sphere of control. What might come as a surprise is that Epictetus did not leave any writing of his own, rather, it was his student Arrian, who wrote down his words for him, just like how Plato wrote down the dialogues of Socrates.
00:00 Intro
01:30 Who was Epictetus?
05:26 What are the best themes from Epictetus?
20:43 The lasting influence of Epictetus
24:00 Reading recommendations for Epictetus
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📚 The books Ryan recommends in this video: Discourses and Selected Writings - www.thepaintedporch.com/products/philosophy4?_pos=5&_sid=ffee1c6f7&_ss=r Art of Living - www.thepaintedporch.com/products/artofliving?_pos=3&_sid=ffee1c6f7&_ss=r How to Be Free - www.thepaintedporch.com/products/philosophy9?_pos=4&_sid=ffee1c6f7&_ss=r The Daily Stoic Journal - www.thepaintedporch.com/products/ryan5?_pos=3&_sid=3d48ad53e&_ss=r Man in Full - www.thepaintedporch.com/products/man-in-full?_pos=1&_sid=aa5f70228&_ss=r Lives of the Stoics - www.thepaintedporch.com/products/ryan9?_pos=1&_sid=5f5df2c73&_ss=r

[@brianbierig2919]

"I make myself rich by making my wants few." - Henry David Thoreau

[@ignassablinskas9175]

- Lao Tzu (in Tao Te Ching)

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Big Deal!!! Pfffft 🤡

[@bcfortenberry]

Thank you for your work. In the months since I’ve began stoic reading and practice, my life has stabilized and I’ve found great peace of mind by simply discerning what is under my control and what isn’t. A true gift.

[@alexispantoja1667]

The ideas Ryan teaches are great, I’ve found great help from Tony Robbins idea of living in a beautiful state. Regardless of what happens you can always look for the good in it. You can have feelings like sadness or anger but you don’t have to live there. Couple Tony Robbins and Stoicism and you’ll get ahead of most people in the world.

[@richardtaylor6341]

Umm...so the dichotomy of control is important. Don't listen to Tony Robbins or anyone who tells you to...Robbins says nothing of substance. Like Grant Cardone he is a confidence man.....

[@Switching_000]

As a person who lives in a 3rd world country this video is like a sip of wine after a long walk in a desert Thank you love from Ethiopia 🇪🇹 Epictetus changed my life

[@dewaldesterhuysen712]

This will the the rare case of room temperature water being better than any beverage

[@DantesInferno61]

Now I know I have nothing to complain about.

[@bini3003]

Ethiopian here

[@pugginspice]

Wow, this is fascinating. My Dad, a retired professor of philosophy, has always seemed to live his life in a stoic way… at 92 he continues to live life well and fully. He is my hero. ❤️

[@WWS322]

i read the first two books of Epictetus but was never able to become a stoic. i still felt the need to control and got pissed when i couldn't. one night though i had a great fear of becoming homeless and i read a chapter about courage. i felt him giving me a pep talk. it really really helped!

[@daniellewest265]

Homeless? Do you have a home you carry around on your back and rebuild each night?

[@tinkywinky4449]

Simply reading it is not enough. Practice it. I found journaling and reviewing my day evrry single night helps greatly. And you can't expect to become perfect in one day. View these interactions which anger you as an opportunity to practice stoicism! Even the failures! But those failures have a slim chance of adding to your development if you do not review your day. So do it. Every mkrning or evening, write down what went well and why, and write down what did not go well and why.

[@jtgd]

@@daniellewest265 you have one in your head…

[@favritzapp]

Appropriate that his name starts with “Epic”!

[@michaellanderfelt6903]

Great observation !!

[@zacharosgiorgis7871]

Very nice! But Epictetus was Greek and his name in Greek s compound of the words EPI + CTETUS..🙂

[@linux1800]

Epictetus 101 needs to be a subject in every school! It teaches one how to thrive and co-exist!

[@abstraction6212]

Well with kids comming to school and only having intrest in elsagate and fooling around it should be better off a homeschool thing that fathers should teach thier kids.

[@jtgd]

Epictetus is like an old wise friend you grow up with. Past his prime and spends his retirement trying to help you become a better parson through discipline

[@seanreams2697]

Thank you for introducing me to Epicitus, I have been stoic for years but never practiced stoicism until I found your videos. I was doing half of it without knowing why and now I do and I'm stronger for it

[@rm94395]

The art of living is an amazing short book on Epictetus' lessons

[@The64v]

"Don't talk about it. Be about it."

[@oknilem666]

As a librarian I have respect for the placement of the fire extinguisher

[@thechadillac1211]

I’m an Epictetus guy. I read Courage under fire over and over. I really enjoy your book. Daily Stoic,

[@TheMusicalStylingsofBrentBunn]

I'm a big fan of the Echiridion. You can read the whole thing in 45 minutes, unless you like to get lost in thought along the way~

[@Rohvannyn]

A thought in the "dagger" meaning of Enchiridion, as well the "handbook" meaning. I grew up at a time when a knife was an indispensable tool. Actually it still is, for me and my spouse and my father, but some just don't get it. They think "knife = weapon." Well, a small dagger can help you eat, cut rope, sharpen some writing implements, trim fingernails, clean same, whittle sticks, cut shavings for a fire... OR protect your life or that of a loved one. That one little item, the knife, originally just a flake of rock, is probably the most useful tool ever created and one of the first ever invented. In ancient times one would always be to hand, and be something you couldn't live without. Kind of like Stoicism. I am beginning to see, through these videos and also my own reading, how Stoic thought is also a tool just as useful, just as helpful, as that sharp little object carried on the belt or in the pocket. I live in the desert and sometimes a thought or idea will come to me (lately through these videos) and it will feel like a cooling rain that washes away the dust and wets a parched throat. Yes, I signed up for the Daily Stoic and I love it! Thank you! Exploring Stoic thought is helping me rediscover my joy.

[@eduardovaldez-modonese5517]

Just finished Lives of the Stoics. As many, I suppose, Cicero, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius where my most clear references regarding thinking/acting as a stoic in order to live the best life I can. But Musonius Rufus and especially Epictetus have struck a chord with me in a way that's hard to put into words. Being a minimalist furniture designer and an ascetic (posessionwise), Epictetus is taking the form of something comparable to a superhero for a kid. Everything is connected and this is a beautiful journey. Thanks a lot Ryan!!

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*34* When you imagine some pleasure, beware that it does not carry you away, like other imaginations. Wait a while, and give yourself pause. Next remember two things: how long will you enjoy the pleasure, and also how long you will afterwards repent and revile yourself. And set on the other side the joy and self-satisfaction you will feel if you refrain. And if the moment seems to come to realize it, take heed that you be not overcome by the winning sweetness and attraction of it; set in the other scale the thought how much better is the consciousness of having vanquished it.

[@raymondblood6322]

Amor fati helped me lots when brother passed away

[@raymondtendau2749]

Memento Mori might be helpful as well.

[@akshatyadav9467]

My sincerest condolences, fellow human.

[@aaronwimberleymbamsf5776]

Great meditation to start the day- currently reading "meditations" by Marcus Aurelius & Seneca's "Hardship & Happiness"

[@thejose965]

Thanks, Ryan for offering these great insights. Your enthusiasm is so contagious, and your content has brought about such a paradigm shift in my perception.

[@jonathanacuna]

Thank you for putting so much research into this video. I learned so so much!!!

[@yoseeev8306]

You make learning fun, thank you!

[@garymcnabb7527]

Hello Ryan, I’m not sure how I was most recently introduced to your lectures, regardless of how, I want you to know they have added a new dimension, a practical dimension to my daily morning practice of prayer and meditation. These teachings which you present seem to form the basis for some other teachings of which I am aware of; live and let live, easy does it, one day at a time, let it go. I look forward to your daily stoic email and remain grateful for the abundant work you put into sharing this knowledge.

[@thechadillac1211]

I love Epictetus and frankly before being exposed to your Daily stoic. I didn’t really bother reading anything other than Stockdales courage under fire and the Echiridion. Thank you.

[@lorenzoe.leonard4160]

Nice! It was my first read of the year and I also recently bought the physical copy of the book. This video comes at just the right time.

[@darrellshoub7527]

Ryan great episode as always !

[@joshsanchez9793]

Damn i love Ryan's youtube vids

[@DanielOrtaM]

Thank you for your videos. I just found them and I love them.

[@MrCharleswr]

Ryan, thank you for making this easily accessible. Learning about the Stoicism has changed my life in a most positive manner.

[@selimalejri4535]

I have listened to this video some fifty times and will keep listening to it. Thank you for introducing us to Enchiridion. I have been reading it, bit by bit. ❤

[@jamesgaffney4035]

That was very good, thank you for sharing!

[@EclecticEngineer604]

Just wanna thank you for all the knowledge you bless us with , I’m realizing that I also am using stoic philosophy as a means to cope with life❤️🙏🏼

[@edgartorres9481]

Thank you very much for these videos, friend.

[@John-cq3hk]

Courage under Fire. Definitely wanna check that one out. I enjoyed this lesson because its possible that I have spent some time, past and present, wanting to control aapects of life and resenting what was not in my control. However, I can't tell if the the difference is between wanting to break free from that condition or merely just accepting responsibility. Idk. Thanks for the video.I enjoyed it, as i sustaned an injury, not able to work for a few months, in school, learning to deal with limited mobility...basically I have a strong sparing parter and this is a opportunity to strengthen my mind.

[@bradhouse4754]

I have recently begun working toward a masters degree in psychology and have adding the study of Stoicism to be a natural part of my progression in learning to help others. Learning that Albert Ellis was influenced by Epictetus sheds light on this compatibility, I think. I've read the Enchiridion, but have thought that maybe focusing on a particular quote per day might be a better way to digest and apply it, as there is a lot of think about in those pages. The Daily Stoic is a regular part of my routine and I certainly appreciate learning others' interpretations of Stoic history and principles.

[@Criwindustries]

I've been subbed to you for about a year now and I've been resistant to your wisdom. However I believe your youth has kept me from appreciating your depth. I find more and more respect for your work and your dedication. Thank you for having the staying power to help me overcome my predetermined lack of discernment.

[@lifestylelines]

this was absolutely inspiring! Thank you, I needed that gentle nudge.

[@smoothpostulation4220]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@IceColdProfessional]

I'm reading Daily Stoic. Already it's changing my life for the better. I'm now able to navigate difficult coworkers and silence the voices of negativity in my mind. My mind is is like a flat piece of paper, a narrow beam of light, a sharpened and still blade.

[@victorjaeger]

Thank you so much Ryan!

[@RodrigoCesarCanada]

It is so simple and so powerful.

[@darkknight67584]

Amazing video! Quintessence of stoic teachings.

[@kerry4385]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@jessicacoulthard-thebringt6093]

BOOM!! This was FULL of head shakes.... thank you so much!!! 💓

[@rafaelgomez1989]

❤ THANK YOU FOR SPREADING THIS INCALCULABLE MESSAGE !!!!

[@Rog.Tiks._]

Thank you for this Ryan.

[@runsett]

Okay, this is the final step of information I needed before reading the actual book, thank you!

[@timthemaranta3148]

Just what I've been looking for!

[@lauracoccia8623]

Make your own choices, despite broken leg (crack!) ego, feelings love etc....thanks Ryan

[@ryanisright3559]

More video's like these! Very very helpful

[@dayamitrasaraswati6276]

I've read Seneca and have just begun the discourses of Epictetus. Already I think the book is amazing! I thought Seneca was a favourite. Now I add Epictetus. I look forward to applying his teachings to my life. Thank you for this video.

[@elisandrogoncalves6686]

Quite nice thank you for the work!!!

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*42* When a man speaks evil or does evil to you, remember that he does or says it because he thinks it is fitting for him. It is not possible for him to follow what seems good to you, but only what seems good to him, so that, if his opinion is wrong, he suffers, in that he is the victim of deception. In the same way, if a composite judgement which is true is thought to be false, it is not the judgement that suffers, but the man who is deluded about it. If you act on this principle you will be gentle to him who reviles you, saying to yourself on each occasion, "He thought it right."

[@deannecarter3921]

Heart explosion 💥 Love love love love this

[@user-ug2yz6vb7p]

Good man, you are, and of course Epictetus is my favorite of the stoics. Appreciate you.

[@LuisDiego1967]

inspiring work my friend

[@antonyjmathias]

Every quote mentioned in this video blows my mind.

[@daanschone1548]

One of your best videos I think.

[@RealziesCuts]

Thank you Ryan 💫

[@roncarp]

Ryan, Great Episode! RC

[@TheDward123]

Would love to learn about your note taking and reading process.

[@joeysantos5009]

Thanks Ryan!!!

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*18* When a raven croaks with evil omen, let not the impression carry you away, but straightway distinguish in your own mind and say, "These portents mean nothing to me; but only to my bit of a body or my bit of property or name, or my children of my wife. But for me all omens are favourable if I will, for, whatever the issue may be, it is in my power to get benefit therefrom."

[@caleballen6540]

Thank you!

[@Warholing]

Holy cow, I just randomly watched this and I see you ran by Keeper of the Plains?! Awesome!

[@danieldiaz-marta7853]

My favorite stoic!

[@magicjoeblack5761]

Snap.

[@monicanudelman]

Thank you!!💪💪

[@theMRcub3]

Thank you ryan, this really helped me stop reading Stoics!!

[@GringoTovar]

I broke my knee cap today. I needed this. Thank you so much!!

[@justahuman9864]

Much love 😊❤

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*4* When you are about to take something in hand, remind yourself what manner of thing it is. If you are going to bathe put before your mind what happens in the bath--water pouring over some, others being jostled, some reviling, others stealing; and you will set to work more securely if you say to yourself once: "I want to bathe, and I want to keep my will in harmony with nature," and so in each thing yo do; for in this way, if anything turns up to hinder you in your bathing, you will be ready to say, "I did not want only to bathe, but to keep my will in harmony with nature, and I shall not so keep it, if I lose my temper at what happens."

[@suzanneboily5224]

Thank you from Canada. ❤❤

[@DeFoInCali]

Okay you got my sub today. Watched a few of your videos. Earl Nightingale’s strangest secret lead me to your channel.

[@henriquerezende5394]

I Just want to say thank you 🙏

[@rlg222]

New to your channel. Just learning about Philosophy of Epictetus...Very interesting..

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*53* On every occasion we must have these thoughts at hand, _"Lead me, O Zeus, and lead me Destiny,_ _Whither ordained is by your decree._ _I'll follow, doubting not, or if with will_ _Recreant I falter, I shall follow still._ _"Who rightly with necessity complies_ _In things divine we count him skillled and wise,_ _"Well, Crito, if this be the gods' will, so be it."_ _"Anytus and Meletus have power to put me to death,_ _but not to harm me."_

[@ramonalewis6050]

I used to work in bindery at a local newspaper. Rick was a forklift driver. He has a degree in philosophy. He said that no one told him the only thing he could do with it was teach. All Rick did was read on his down time. He read dissertations. He'd go to the university library and make copies of papers, 600 pages long, put them in binders and just read. He was low key and kind and just cool.

[@bollywoodcole3694]

Very apt. In relation to our subsistence in this decaying capitalistic model, our bodies aren’t ours. Can’t count the number of dawns I’d wake up and exclaim to myself "I no longer have any desire to participate in this carceral system" But I’m going to incorporate Epicetus philosophy about ceding country on tangibles out of my control

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*52* The first and most necessary department of philosophy deals with the application of principles; for instance, "not to lie." The second deals with demonstrations; for instance, "How comes it that one ought not to lie?" The third is concerned with establishing and analysing these processes; for instance, "How comes it that this is a demonstration? What is demonstration, what is consequence, what is contradiction, what is true, what is false?" It follows then that the third department is necessary because of the second, and the second because of the first. The first is the most necessary part, and that in which we must rest. But we reverse the order: we occupy ourselves with the third, and make that our whole concern, and the first we completely neglect. Wherefore we lie, but are ready enough with the demonstration that lying is wrong.

[@suzanneboily5224]

Very interesting!!! ❤❤❤

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*10* When anything happens to you, always remember to turn to yourself and ask what faculty you have to deal with it. If you see a beautiful boy or a beautiful woman, you will find continence the faculty to exercise there; if trouble is laid on you, you will find endurance; if ribaldry, you will find patience. And if you train yourself in this habit your impressions will not carry you away.

[@JoeMama-vj8es]

Thanks man.

[@penguins0392]

The part about the separation of the mind is different for me ( at this moment and from my experiences) I say this because I have depressive episodes at least once a week. However my body will feel restless and I could put my body through a gym workout even if I'm still feeling depressed. Additionally I've thought, my mind may have no control of its emotions but I can still push my body.

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*36* The phrases, "It is day" and "It is night," mean a great deal if taken separately, but have no meaning if combined. In the same way, to choose the larger portion at a banquet may be worth while for your body, but if you want to maintain social decencies it is worthless. Therefore, when you are at meat with another, remember not only to consider the value of what is set before you for the body, but also to maintain your self-respect before your host.

[@rajugurung7634]

6:50 9:50 . 10:00 13:00 15:40 18:00 19:50 20:10 20:15 21:40 22:00

[@hanslick3375]

happy he who learns to bear what he cannot change ... even happier he who learns to change what he cannot bear! I believe that there is a fundamental flaw in dividing things into those we have control over and those we haven't - because it is really not very clear what we do or do not have control over or at least, what we can or cannot influence we used to think that we have to take the weather for granted - but nowadays everybody screams about influencing the climate - and it is very likely that such things as weather weapons exist HOWEVER: all in all, the general idea is absolutely time proven and correct: focus on yourself and your sphere of influence instead of whining about circumstances

[@soldiersvejk2053]

His books was absolutely hilarious to read. The full Discourses only got translated to Chinese in 2011, and had only 1,000 printed. I can proudly say that I personally had purchased 1% of them and sent them out to my friends as gifts.

[@user-rf7qs9nz3n]

I only yesterday started reading an e-book about Epictetus's philosophy, it is kind of hard since English is my second language but I hope by the time it passes I may start understand more of his philosophy which actually I would love to.(

[@soldbygersom]

Thank you

[@cryptosignals5919]

Amazing

[@philklabe2771]

Epictetus still gets no fame only 172,000 views in a year. Such a great Stoic Philosopher

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*20* Remember that foul words or blows in themselves are no outrage, but your judgement that they are so. So when anyone makes you angry, know that it is your own thought that has angered you. Wherefore make it your first endeavour not to let your impressions carry you away. Fir if once you gain time and delay, you will find it easier to control yourself.

[@DrRussell]

You are saving lives. Including mine.

[@Shnzmnky41]

I gave the Enchiridion just a flat out, unbiased listen and there were so many bits that felt either subjective or straight up contradictive and I just couldn’t take it seriously after a certain point… I respect it but after a certain point just felt like I was being pandering(?) to try to see it through a serious and objective lens.

[@oliverposniak1254]

Thanks

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*26* It is in our power to discover the will of Nature form those matters on which we have no difference of opinion. For instance, when another man's slave has broken the wine-cup we are very ready to say at once, "Such things must happen." Know then that when your own cup is broken, you ought to behave in the same way as when your neighbour's was broken. Apply the same principle to higher matters. Is another's child or wife dead? Not one of us but would say, "Such is the lot of man," but when one's own dies, straightway one cries, "Alas! miserable am I." But we ought to remember what our feelings are when we hear it of another.

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*13* If you wish to make progress, you must be content in external matters to seem a fool and a simpleton; do not wish men to think you know anything, and if any should think you to be somebody, distrust yourself. For know that it is not easy to keep your will in accord with nature and at the same time keep outward things; if you attend to one you must needs neglect the other.

[@paulbuono5088]

I see what he's talking about with the dichotomy, but clearly it shows influence of living in slavery where you literally had no freedom. I feel like today a lot of those things that are out of our control are not in fact out of our influence, or things that we have the power to respond and react to.

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

*21* Keep before your eyes from day to day death and exile and all things that seem terrible, but death most of all, and then you never set your thoughts on what is low and will never desire anything beyond measure.