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Epictetus and the Enchiridion
Epictetus (about 50 to 135 AD) was born into slavery in Hierapolis and later became a free man and teacher, first in Rome and then in Nicopolis in Greece. He wrote nothing himself. His student Arrian recorded his lectures as the Discourses and condensed the main ideas into a short Handbook, the Enchiridion.
His message is blunt and compassionate: freedom is internal, and the only thing that is truly yours is how you respond.
The core lessons
- Separate what is up to you from what is not.
- Events do not disturb us; our judgments do.
- Treat each impression with scrutiny before agreeing.
- Play your role well, whatever it is, like an actor in a play you did not write.
How to read him
The Enchiridion is short enough to read in an afternoon, but it rewards slow study. Pick one chapter a week and apply it. The Discourses are longer and more conversational.
In their own words
“Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things.”
Enchiridion 5 (Higginson translation)
Put it into practice
Describe what you are carrying and receive a reflection from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca or Epictetus, applied to your situation. Three free consultations a day.
Ask the OracleFrequently asked questions
Was Epictetus really a slave?
Yes. He was enslaved in the household of Epaphroditus, a secretary to Nero, and was later freed.
Did he write the Enchiridion himself?
No. His student Arrian compiled it from his teaching.
What is the most important idea?
The dichotomy of control: focus on what is up to you and release the rest.