Book · 2023 · Philosophy
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion
- mentions
- 10
- people
- 3
- podcast
- 1
- episodes
- 10
- critical mentions
- 0
When you're passionate you want to share and that was incredible when my husband gave me a copy of discourses and that amplification of gratitude for this writing that was 20 centuries ago and how it resonates with all of us.
What they say about it
- Discusses teachings and structure“summary of his teachings”2
The best things said about it
These are two books that changed my life.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · Sep 2026 It's easier to start with the Enchiridion, which is sort of a summary of his teachings, but then you got to go to the Discourses.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · Oct 2026 The Enchiridion of Epictetus I like better than the Discourses of Epictetus because it is filtered down and edited in a way that you're getting to the core of it.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · Apr 2026 Men, the Philosopher's Lecture Hall is a hospital. You shouldn't walk out of it feeling pleasure but pain, for you aren't well when you enter it.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · Sep 2026 We must undergo a hard winter training and not rush into things for which we haven't prepared.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · Sep 2026 Like look here's uh here's the idiot right this is a 2 000 year old book here's epictetus a 2000 year old book.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · May 2022 Where and when it comes up
Mentions per year
How it comes up
Why people recommend it
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion collects the profound teachings of the former Greek slave and Stoic philosopher, focusing heavily on personal agency, resilience, and emotional self-control. The work was prominently featured across several episodes of The Daily Stoic, where Ryan Holiday and various guests explored its practical applications. Holiday frequently recommended the Discourses as a deeper, more demanding companion text to Epictetus's shorter summary, the Enchiridion, while recounting how studying these historical lectures had profoundly transformed his life. Throughout daily reflections on the podcast, Holiday regularly cited specific book chapters and verses from the Discourses to anchor discussions on personal freedom, the importance of keeping philosophy private, and the necessity of enduring rigorous winter training before rushing into major endeavors. Other guests, such as Brennan Cordell Smith, credited the text as a foundational stepping stone that inspired a deeper dive into classical Stoic philosophy during their personal development journeys. Furthermore, Holiday famously utilized Epictetus's metaphor comparing the philosopher's lecture hall to a hospital to remind listeners that genuine philosophical growth often causes discomfort rather than immediate pleasure. Across these episodes, the Discourses remained an essential manual for cultivating mental resilience and clarity in daily life.
Every mention
Ryan Holiday And he says, and for introducing me to Epictetus's lectures and loaning me his own copy. Here is my copy of… 8
“Epictetus, discourses. Book 4, chapter 1, verses 62 to 64.”
“Like Epictetus, it's easier to start with the Enchiridion, which is sort of a summary of his teachings, but then you got to go to the Discourses.”
“And he says, and for introducing me to Epictetus's lectures and loaning me his own copy. Here is my copy of Epictetus. These are two books that changed my life.”
“Holding a cloth edition here, but quote today is from Epictetus' Discourses 4.8. He says, "First, practice not letting people know who you are. Keep your philosophy to yourself for a bit.”
“"We must undergo a hard winter training and not rush into things for which we haven't prepared." That's Epictetus and his discourses.”
“Men, the Philosopher's Lecture Hall is a hospital. You shouldn't walk out of it feeling pleasure but pain, for you aren't well when you enter it. That's from Epictetus' Discourses”
“The Enchiridion of Epictetus I like better than the Discourses of Epictetus because it is filtered down and and and and edited in a way that you're you're getting to the core of it.”
“like look here's uh here's the idiot right this is a 2 000 year old book here's epictetus a 2000 year old book”
Brennan Cordell Smith which then led to Epictetus' Discourses and the letters from the Stoic of Seneca. And from there on, I just… 1
“which then led to Epictetus' Discourses and the letters from the Stoic of Seneca. And from there on, I just took a deep dive into it.”
Karen Duffy Um I believe that when you're passionate you want to share and that was incredible when my husband gave me… 1
“Um I believe that when you're passionate you want to share and that was incredible when my husband gave me a copy of discourses and that amplification of gratitude for this writing that was 20 centuries ago and how it resonates with all of us”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“He carried his Epictitus books with him. He had in Coridian, he had discourses. He had Zenifan's memorabilia of Socrates”