The Teaching of Epictetus

This translation brings the voice of a long‑lost Greek teacher into modern ears, preserving the crisp, conversational style of a philosopher who never wrote his own books. His most devoted student, the Roman officer‑historian Arrian, recorded the lectures as they were spoken, then fashioned a compact handbook that has guided readers for centuries. The introduction explains how those raw notes, full of repetitions and occasional digressions, were fashioned into both a sprawling collection of discourses and a tidy manual for everyday practice.

The work is organized without strict systematic order, reflecting the spontaneous way the lessons were delivered. Each chapter revolves around a core Stoic theme—how to distinguish what we can control, how to cultivate inner freedom, and how to meet adversity with calm. Helpful notes accompany the translation, shedding light on the historical context and clarifying obscure references, so listeners can follow the ancient wisdom without getting lost in its occasional chaos.