The Enchiridion

The Enchiridion (Greek for “handbook”) is the most famous and widely read work attributed to the ancient Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Attributed, because none of Epictetus’ personal writings have survived to-date; the record of his teachings that we have descends to us through his student Arrian, who took it upon himself to record his lectures and sayings in a series of books which he called the Discourses of Epictetus. Some time later, he distilled the spirit of Epictetus’ teachings into this shorter text, which is widely regarded as the most elegant and comprehensible rendition of the Stoic philosophy that was ever produced in antiquity.