Book SummaryThe Discourses of Epictetus, by Epictetus

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Discourses of Epictetus

Epictetus is considered one of history’s most influential Stoic philosophers, alongside the likes of Marcus Aurelius (Meditations) and Seneca (Essays). The Discourses of Epictetus is the definitive collection of his teachings.

Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasizes logic and quiet contemplation. It teaches that the best way to live well is to understand the laws of nature and how you, personally, fit into the universe. By accepting things as they are, recognizing your own relative unimportance and powerlessness in the grand scheme of things, and fulfilling your life’s purpose to the best of...

The Discourses of Epictetus Summary The Importance of Reason and Choice

According to Stoic philosophy, your purpose is to live a happy and virtuous life by acting in accordance with Nature—which, in this context, means both your own human nature and the nature of the universe. You’re expected to achieve this lifestyle through the constant and disciplined use of reason. In other words, you should think rationally about every situation you encounter and always choose the best response possible.

In fact, Stoicism teaches that your reason is the only important thing in your life. This is because your reasoning interprets everything that you experience, and it also determines what you do in response to those experiences. In other words, the quality of your reasoning determines the quality of your life.

(Shortform note: One of Stoicism’s central beliefs is that everything in the universe happens according to natural, rational laws. However, humans are something of an exception: Human nature is part of the greater, universal Nature, but sometimes human nature [leads us to go against...

The Discourses of Epictetus Summary How to Face Challenges

Now that you understand why the human powers of reason and choice are so important, we’ll discuss how to use those abilities to overcome challenges.

When you face any kind of challenge, Epictetus says that you must start by bringing your reason to bear on it. Ask yourself what tools you have available to deal with the situation—these “tools” include your thoughts, your skills and abilities, and any resources you could use to help solve the problem (whatever it happens to be).

(Shortform note: Here, Epictetus is saying that the first step in facing any challenge is to make a plan. In Extreme Ownership, former Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin elaborate on this concept. They say that making a plan requires first knowing your desired outcome; then, considering what tools and assets you have at your disposal; and finally, determining how to use those resources to achieve your goal with the least possible risk to yourself.)

It’s also crucial to the Stoic mindset that you endure challenge and hardship without complaining. Epictetus teaches that...

The Discourses of Epictetus Summary How to Live Well

Now that you have a basic grounding in Stoic reasoning and decision-making, it’s time to learn how to turn rational thought into virtuous action—actions that are in accordance with Nature and that sustain your peace of mind or improve the world around you.

First, to maintain your peace of mind, simply take events as they happen. Don’t upset yourself by wishing that something would happen sooner, or not happen at all. Epictetus says that, since all things happen according to Nature, a Stoic should never want anything to be different from how it is. This is a virtuous way to live because fighting against Nature—against the way things are supposed to be—will inevitably lead to unintended harm.

(Shortform note: Accepting things as they are isn’t just a philosophical idea—it has scientific backing. In Antifragile, risk analyst Nassim Nicholas Taleb explains why interfering in natural events commonly does more harm than good: because the world is such a large and complex system that there’s no way to fully predict the outcomes of a given action,...

Shortform Exercise: Think Like a Stoic

Now that you’ve learned some of Epictetus’s most important teachings, try applying Stoic reasoning to some events in your own life. Think about a challenging or upsetting situation you’ve encountered recently, and use calm rationality to determine the best response to it.

Describe a challenging or upsetting situation you’ve encountered recently. Was this situation in your control, or outside of your control? For example, maybe you got into an argument with a family member or made a mistake at work. (Remember that Epictetus says the only things fully in your control are your own thoughts and actions.)