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Cover of Discourses and Selected Writings

Discourses and Selected Writings

Epictetus

Philosophy
Featured in: Stoicism reading guide
Publish date
2008
Publisher
Penguin Classics
Description
DESPITE BEING BORN into slavery, Greco-Roman philosopher Epictetus became one of the most influential thinkers of his time. Discourses and Selected Writings is a transcribed collection of informal lectures given by the philosopher around AD 108. A gateway into the life and mind of a great intellectual, it is also an important example of the usage of Koine or ?common? Greek, an ancestor to Standard Modern Greek. HOW A MAN ON EVERY OCCASION CAN MAINTAIN HIS PROPER CHARACTER.-To the rational animal only is the irrational intolerable; but that which is rational is tolerable. Blows are not naturally intolerable. How is that? See how the Lacedaemonians endure whipping when they have learned that whipping is consistent with reason. To hang yourself is not intolerable. When then you have the opinion that it is rational, you go and hang yourself. In short, if we observe, we shall find that the animal man is pained by nothing so much as by that which is irrational; and, on the contrary, attracted to nothing so much as to that which is rational. For more than 10 years, Kartindo Press has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 6500 titles, Kartindo Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. Kartindo Classics Press (Kartindo.in) Offices: London, United Kingdom and Indore, India For more info please connect at Contact@kartindo.in
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Books cited in Discourses and Selected Writings

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  1. Phaedo

    Plato

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    Cited regarding Socrates' attitude toward death and the freedom of the rational soul.

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  2. The Republic

    Plato

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    Epictetus frequently quotes and references Socrates and Platonic dialogues to illustrate moral virtue and philosophy.

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  3. Crito

    Plato

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    Referenced to demonstrate obedience to law, moral duty, and peaceful acceptance of one's fate.

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  4. Apology

    Plato

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    Epictetus frequently invokes Socrates' defense to show that a good person cannot be harmed by others.

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  5. Memorabilia

    Xenophon

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    Epictetus draws heavily on Xenophon's portrayal of Socrates as the ultimate exemplar of Stoic virtue.

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  6. Odyssey

    Homer

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    Referenced to illustrate the trials of life and the pursuit of wisdom through endurance.

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  7. Iliad

    Homer

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    Epictetus cites Homeric tragic figures like Achilles and Agamemnon as negative examples of unbridled passions.

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