A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion

This selection brings the voice of a once‑enslaved philosopher to life, tracing his journey from a modest birth in Phrygia to a respected teacher in Nicopolis. The introduction sets the scene with vivid details about his early hardships, his unexpected education under the patronage of a Roman master, and the political upheavals that forced him to relocate. Listeners get a concise portrait of the man behind the ideas, grounding his timeless counsel in the concrete struggles of his era.

The core of the work is a series of practical dialogues and the concise Encheiridion, where Epictetus unpacks the Stoic belief that true freedom lies in mastering one’s own judgments. He offers clear, everyday guidance on handling desire, adversity, and the opinions of others, urging a focus on what we can control and a calm acceptance of what we cannot. The language is direct yet thoughtful, making ancient wisdom feel immediate and applicable to modern life.