Book · 2014 · Philosophy
Enchiridion
- mentions
- 11
- people
- 4
- podcasts
- 3
- episodes
- 9
- critical mentions
- 0
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 Listen at 9:17 What they say about it
- Prefers over Discourses“filtered down and edited”2
The best things said about it
It's easier to start with the Enchiridion, which is sort of a summary of his teachings.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · Oct 2026 Epictetus wrote in his book of ethical advice in chiridian translated as the handbook quote what upsets people is not things themselves but their judgment of things.
He's like he is a a philosopher of the school of stoicism you know he was a slave and he wrote this book called The intraidion or the or the manual and I forget which translation he had um I think it's why it's a newer one by a woman um Sharon LaBelle.
He reaches behind him and he grabs the Enchiridion of Epictetus and he hands him this book.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · Apr 2025 Where and when it comes up
Mentions per year
How it comes up
Most mentions, by podcast
4 people who brought it up
Why people recommend it
Enchiridion by Epictetus is a concise handbook of Stoic ethical advice compiled by his disciple Arrian, offering timeless guidance on how to achieve tranquility by focusing exclusively on what is within one's control. Ryan Holiday frequently recommended the text on The Daily Stoic, describing the Enchiridion as an essential, filtered summary of Epictetus's teachings that serves as an accessible entry point before tackling his more expansive Discourses. Holiday and other podcast guests, including Sam Harris, frequently cited passages from the handbook to illustrate practical applications of Stoic philosophy, such as the famous assertion that people are disturbed not by external events, but by their own judgments about those events. The book's profound real-world impact was highlighted on the podcast through the story of James Stockdale, a Navy pilot and prisoner of war whose life was transformed after receiving a copy of Epictetus's work, which he subsequently carried everywhere as a survival guide. Across various episodes, hosts utilized the Enchiridion to address modern challenges like handling criticism, managing emotional distress, and understanding that philosophical study functions like a hospital for the soul, demanding rigorous internal work rather than superficial display.
Every mention
Ryan Holiday Like Epictetus, it's easier to start with the Enchiridion, which is sort of a summary of his teachings, but… 6
“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 then finally we have epictetus is in coridian 20 keep in mind that it isn't the one”
“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.”
“Rhinellander becomes this for Stockdale and he gives him a book off of his shelf. He reaches behind him and he grabs the incoridian of Epictitus and he hands him this book.”
“But as Epictitus said, as Stockdale would have read in his copy of the Encidian, the philosopher's lecture hall is a hospital. It's painful.”
“you haven't read epictitus you are reading epictitus after he was introduced to the incuridian stock travels everywhere with his copy and with related books. He would say that on his bedside table”
Maria Konnikova And when I read the Enchiridion am I pronouncing that correctly? I've always said it out in my head 1
“And when I read the Enchiridion am I pronouncing that correctly? I've always said it out in my head”
Randy Blythe He's like he is a a philosopher of the school of stoicism you know he was a slave and he wrote this book ca… 1
“He's like he is a a philosopher of the school of stoicism you know he was a slave and he wrote this book called The intraidion or the or the manual and I forget which translation he had um I think it's why it's a newer one by a woman um Sharon LaBelle”
Sam Harris Actually, Epictetus talks about this. He says, 'You know, someone’s working out, they’re lifting weights.'… 1
“Actually, Epictetus talks about this. He says, 'You know, someone’s working out, they’re lifting weights.' You don’t say, 'Show me your muscles.'”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker2
“Epictetus wrote in his book of ethical advice in chiridian translated as the handbook quote what upsets people is not things themselves but their judgment of things”
“in fact Epictetus mentions explicitly this approaching the enchiridion”
