Reddit reviews The Handbook (The Encheiridion) (Hackett Classics)

The Handbook (The Encheiridion) - Epictetus https://www.amazon.com/dp/0915145693/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vq0XBbKNXAZT9

Hey, 95 seconds is a minute and a half! Plenty of time to skim something as brief as the Handbook of Epictetus.

Thanks for sharing your story.

As far as book recommendations go: (Marie Kondo)[https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308] gets a lot of praise, although I haven't actually read her myself (There was an interesting episode of the Tim Ferris podcast featuring her that was some good listening, and I like the systematic approach to decluttering).

Slightly tangentially: stoic philosophy fits well with minimalism, with other related ideas about how to live. Both Seneca's Letters and Epictetus' Handbook are good introductions.

“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. ”
― Seneca

Don't expect him to care much about Stoic principles. It's definitely worth a shot but don't be surprised if it doesn't help. I have tried Stoic concepts on many people, with limited success. If Marcus Aurelius couldn't get through to Commodus, what chance do we have?

 

I'd recommend a modern translation of Meditations and maybe the Enchiridion since it's so short. You can get a little booklet of just the Enchiridion online. I just bought one from a local bookstore for $2 a few days ago. Kind of cool, here's the one I have. The translation is from the 80's which is modern. It seems solid, easy to read. The entire book is 18 pages

 

https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Encheiridion-Hackett-Classics/dp/0915145693/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=Enchiridion+white&qid=1562556470&s=gateway&sr=8-1

I started with the Gregory Hayes translation of Meditations. That seems to be the one that many people recommend.

Still, I heavily recommend not starting your exploration of stoic thought with Meditations. Read instead Epictetus' Handbook. The reason for this is that Meditations is more of a journal - it's these meandering thoughts of Marcus Aurelius on how one should live life in accordance with stoic doctrine. A large portion of the book is him repeating himself. The Handbook, however, is a concise overview of the stoic approach to fulfillment. It's focuses on much more fundamental elements of suffering and fulfillment than Meditations does. It's more logical, I think, and provides more justification for some stoic views. In addition, it's shorter. This is the translation that my Ancient Phil professor told our class to get, and it was a good one.