The Art of Living

This book is a modern interpretation of the teachings of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, written by Sharon Lebell. The interpretation aims to convey the spirit of Epictetus's philosophy in accessible language for practical application in daily life. Epictetus was born a slave around A.D. 55 in Hierapolis in the region of Phrygia. After being freed, he became a prominent teacher of Stoic philosophy in Rome until A.D. 94, when the emperor Domitian banished him from Rome. Epictetus established a new school in Nicopolis, Greece, where he taught until his death around A.D. 135. The core of his philosophy is that a virtuous life and a happy life are the same. He argues that true happiness is an internal state, independent of external circumstances such as wealth, health, or reputation. His guidance for living a good life focuses on three main themes: mastering one's desires, performing one's duties, and learning to think with clarity.

The book's central section, "A Manual for Living," is a concise summary of Epictetus's essential teachings. These were originally transcribed by his student, the historian Flavius Arrian, from lectures known as the Discourses. The foundational principle is to distinguish between things within our control and things outside our control. Our opinions, desires, and aversions are within our power, while external factors like our body, wealth, and status are not. Inner peace is only possible when we accept this distinction and focus entirely on our own business, which is the state of our inner life. This requires us to evaluate every impression and train ourselves not to worry about things we cannot change. Epictetus teaches that our desires are powerful habits that lead to disappointment when directed at externals. Instead, we should work to harmonize our will with nature, accepting events and people as they are, not as we wish them to be. It is not events themselves that disturb us, but our judgments about them.

Moral progress, according to Epictetus, begins with extinguishing the impulse to blame others or ourselves for misfortune. True personal merit comes not from external sources like the admiration of others, but from making the best use of what is truly our own: our ideas and opportunities. He advises us to focus on our main duty in life, accepting events as they occur because our will is always within our power. Every difficulty is an opportunity to use our inner resources, such as patience and self-restraint. We should care for what we have, including possessions and loved ones, without becoming attached, viewing them as things "returned to where they came from" when they are gone. The goal is a life of inner serenity, which is achieved by disregarding what does not concern us, conforming our wishes to reality, and acting well the part we have been given in life, like an actor in a play.

Epictetus further instructs that we can find happiness only within ourselves, independent of external conditions. People cannot truly hurt us, as it is our own judgment of an incident that provokes an emotional response. Spiritual progress is made by confronting difficult realities like death and loss, which frees us from illusions. Those who pursue a life of wisdom must be prepared for criticism but should hold to their ideals. Character matters more than reputation, and we should not sacrifice our integrity for any external advantage, as all advantages have a price. Our duties are revealed by our relationships with others, and we must fulfill them faithfully. We should trust in the divine order of the universe, seeing it as intelligent and good, and look for the hidden opportunity in every event.

The manual concludes with practical advice for daily conduct. Epictetus emphasizes the importance of right speech, careful selection of companions, and taking care of the body without vanity. He advises against defending one's reputation, preferring that our actions speak for themselves. Once a course of action is determined to be wise, we must stand by it. The virtuous life depends on self-honesty, safeguarding reason, and observing moderation. Wisdom is revealed through action, not talk, and it is more important to practice principles than to prove them. Epictetus urges the reader to stop making excuses and to begin living by their ideals immediately.

A second section, "Essential Teachings on Virtue, Happiness, and Tranquility," expands on these ideas. Philosophy's purpose is to respond to the soul's suffering by illuminating unsound beliefs and promoting a "flourishing life" of worthy deeds. The first step toward wisdom is to relinquish self-conceit and admit that one does not know. We must be suspicious of popular conventions and take charge of our own thinking. A virtuous person is consistent, aligning their thoughts, words, and deeds, and trusts their own moral intuitions. The proper response to wrongdoers is pity, not anger, as they are misguided about what is truly good for them. Lasting happiness comes not from external means like wealth, but from the virtuous activities that make up a good life. Habits, good or bad, are strengthened by action, so one must starve bad habits and feed good ones. The art of living requires us to fully inhabit the present moment and exert ourselves in the situation at hand.

The book concludes with two essays by Sharon Lebell that frame the ancient philosophy for a contemporary audience. In the first, she recounts her experience interpreting Epictetus, explaining that his philosophy is for everyone navigating the real-world problems of daily life. In the second essay, she corrects modern misconceptions of Stoicism, arguing it is not about emotional repression but is a "philosophy of emotional management" for achieving inner peace. She presents Stoicism as a remedy for modern conditions such as "free-floating anxiety, the chronic longing for true intimacy, rootlessness and purposelessness," asserting that its focus on virtue is a relevant guide for making wise choices in a world saturated with options.