Epictetus was born as a slave in 55 A.D. Despite this misfortune he was able to become a free man due to his talents, wise decisions, and actions. His teacher of stoicism was Gaius Musonius Rufus. Epictetus taught in Rome until 94 A.D. when the emperor Dominion, afraid of philosophers growing influence on Roman populace, banished them from Rome. Epictetus spent the rest of his life in exile in Nicopolis (Greece). There, he established a philosophical school. He passed out about 135 A.D. Among his most distinguished students was young Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who become the best ruler of the Roman Empire and the author of the famous “Meditations”. See [3-7, 10]. Epictetus left no philosophical writings, but his pupil, the historian Flavius Arrian, transcribed Epictetus’ lectures for friends, into eight books “Discourses”. Only four from eight books survived till our time.
In this post, a list of the most important Epictetus’ principles of the art of living are presented.
The main principles are the following:
1. Know what you can control and what you can’t.
2. Stick with your own business.
3. Recognize appearances for what they really are.
4. Desire demands is own attainment.
5. See things for what they are.
6. Harmonize your actions with the way life is.
7. Events don’t hurt us, but our views of them can.
8. No shame, no blame.
9. Create your own merit.
10. Focus on your main duty.
11. Accept events as they occur.
12. Your will is always within your power.
13. Make full use of what happens to you.
14. Care for what you happen to have.
15. The good life is the life of inner serenity.
16. Disregard what doesn’t concern you.
17. Conform your wishes to reality.
18. Approach life as a banquet.
19. Avoid adapting other people’s negative views.
20. Act well the part that is given to you.
21. Everything happen for a good reason.
22. Happiness can only be found within.
23. No one can hurt you.
24. Spiritual progress is make through confronting death and calamity.
25. Implant in yourself the ideals you ought to cherish.
26. The pursuit of wisdom attracts critics.
27. Seeking to please is a perilous trap.
28. Character matter more than reputation.
29. All advantages have their price.
30. Make the will of nature your own.
31. Self-mastery is our true aim.
32. Treasure your mind, cherish your reason, hold your purpose.
33. Consider what comes first, then what follows, and only then act.
34. Our duties are revealed by our relations with one another.
35. The essence of faithfulness lies first in holding correct opinions and attitudes regarding the Universe.
36. Events are impersonal and indifferent.
37. Never suppress a generous impulse.
38. Clearly define the person you want to be.
39. Speak only with good purpose.
40. Avoid most popular entertainment.
41. Be careful about the company you keep.
42. Take care of your body.
43. Avoid casual sex.
44. Don’t defend your reputation or intentions.
45. Conduct yourself with dignity.
46. Emulate worthy role models.
47. Exercise discretion when conversing.
48. Prefer enduring satisfaction to immediate gratification.
49. Take a stand behind your decision after you determined that the course of your actions is wise.
50. Courtesy and logic each have their place.
51. Self-mastery depends on self-honesty.
52. Safeguard your reason.
53. Observe proper proportion and moderation.
54. Inner excellence matters more than outer appearance.
55. Care about your mind more than your body.
56. Mistreatment comes from false impressions.
57. Clear thinking is vital.
58. Call things by their right names.
59. Wisdom is revealed through action, not talk.
60. Live simply for your own sake.
61. Wisdom depends on vigilance.
62. Living wisdom is more important than knowing about it.
63. Practicing principles matters more than proving them.
64. Start living your ideals without delays.
65.The flourishing life depends on self-sufficiency.
66. Be suspicious of convention.
67. The virtuous are invincible.
68. Be a Citizen of the Universe.
69. Consider your deepest yearnings merely as facts.
70. Exercise caution when mingling with others.
71. Forgive over and over and over.
72. The virtuous are consistent.
73. Trust your moral intuition.
74. Don’t be angry at wrongdoers.
75. The only prosperous life is the virtuous life.
76. Pursue the good ardently, but if your efforts fall short, accept the result and move on.
77. Pay careful attention to what is important and what is not.
78. Reason is supreme.
79. Learn to heal yourself.
80. Stay the course, in good weather and bad.
81. Be grateful to the Universe for everything that happen.
82. Never casually discuss important matters.
83. The really worthwhile things are virtuous activities that make up the happy life, not the external means that may seem to produce it.
84. Every habit and faculty is preserved and increased by its corresponding actions.
85. Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit the evasions.
86. Happiness and personal fulfillment are the natural consequences of doing the right thing.
P.S. For more details, see [1-2, 7-9].
References:
1. The art of living: The classical manual on virtue, happiness, and effectiveness by Epictetus. A new interpretation by Sharon Lebell. 1994, Harper Collins Publishers.
2. Epictetus Stoic Classics Collection: The Discourses & The Enchiridion of Epictetus Paperback – October 31, 2023 by Epictetus (Author), George Long (Translator)
4. Marcus Aurelius: The Dialogues, Alan Stedall, Shepheard-Walwyn Ltd., 2005
5. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, Dawsons RSP Publishing, 2020
6. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius tr. by Gerald H. Rendall (Golden Treasure Series)
7. Stoic Classics Collection: Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, Epictetus’s Enchiridion, Seneca’s On a Happy Life, On the Shortness of Life, On Peace of Mind & On Providence Hardcover – August 5, 2023
8. The Discourses of Epictetus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdbrjVyO0Dk&list=PLzKrfPkpj5onblqDijKRwsZ6LkNP97g6F
9. The Enchiridion of Epictetus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVN-DqUqyS8
10. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - The Complete 12 Books on Stoicism in Today's Language
