Customer Reviews

Discourses and Selected Writings (Penguin Classics)

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This is a nice, flowing, intelligent translation of the Discourses of Epictetus by an important and respected scholar in the field. The edition also includes the Enchiridion (Handbook) and fragments. The notes and recommended readings are current and helpful.

There is one caveat though: The text is ABRIDGED. The product description does not make this clear. Dobbin justifies omitting selected discourses from books 3-4 due to repetition of themes. For example in book 3, sections 1-2, 6-7, 9-15, 17-19, 21, 24-26 are missing. In book 4, discourses 5-12 have been omitted. This unfortunately limits the usefulness of the text. If you want the complete text, I recommend the Everyman edition (edited by Christopher Gill, with a revised translation by Robin Hard). Better yet if you can afford it, get the two volume Loeb Classical Library edition with the facing Greek text.

In short, this is a nice abridged edition of Epictetus, useful for those who want a streamlined introduction to the philosopher, but limited due to the abridgment.

Philosophy has intrigued me since I was eighteen years old (never mind how long ago that was!) While I am hardly an expert in philosophy, it has made for some fascinating reading, and the writings of the Stoics have particularly grabbed me, especially Epictetus. He was the first Stoic writer I read. I later went on to read Marcus Aurelius and parts of Seneca, but I must confess that Epictetus is my favorite.

I was pleasantly surprised the first time I began the DISCOURSES. I had confused STOICISM with SPARTAN and was expecting to read admonitions to sleep on nails, sleep outside in the freezing cold wearing only one thin garment and to self-flagellate regularly. Well, I found none of the above. Basically, Epictetus teaches that happiness consists of learning what is in our control and what isn't, and to live in harmony with God and nature. Also central to Stoic thought is the importance of correct reasoning.

I was also pleasantly surprised that Stoicism does not advocate an uncaring view of the world. The DISCOURSES are full of examples of family, politics, friendship issues as well as dealing with hardships. I had a good chuckle over the the title: "To those who tackle philosophy just to be able to talk about it." (Book 2, chapter 19) On page 126, he says "Just pay attention to the way you behave and you will discover the philosophy you really belong to."

The introduction and "Further Reading" sections give examples of prominent people whose lives were (and some still are) profoundly influenced by Epictetus.

This volume contains all four "Books" of Epictetus' DISCOURSES as well as the ENCHIRIDION, a condensation of his teachings into smaller paragraphs and sayings. I was also pleased to find fragments of other writings from Epictetus as well which I didn't know still were around.

They are well worth reading.

Dobbin's translation attempts to 'modernize' Epictetus, but succeeds only in rendering the text awkward and clunky. Far, far better is the Everyman's Library edition, translated by Robin Hard. The Discourses of Epictetus - The Handbook - Fragments (Everyman's Library) Here's a comparison to illustrate my point, from Book 3, Chapter 22 (On The Cynic Calling) Line 20:

Dobbin: "My mind represents for me my medium - like wood to a carpenter, or leather to a shoemaker. The goal in my case is the correct use of impressions."

Hard: "From this time forth, the material I must work upon is my own mind, as wood is the material of a carpenter or leather that of a shoemaker; for my business is to make right use of my impressions."

I really enjoyed this particular translation of Epictetus, and I thought that Dobbin did a great job rendering E's style and idioms. The translation is lively and readable, and Epictetus comes across sounding like a Roman version of Tyler Durden.

The Greeks were really something else and for me Epictetus is at the top of the list. One of the best moral philosophers as far as I'm concerned. He was a very clear thinker and presented his ideas very vividly, in a diatribe or near-dialogue form. Some of the things he discusses are incredible for his time, for example Discourse I, 19 includes this gem: "The upshot is that it is not anti-social to be constantly acting in one own's self-interest. We do not expect someone, after all, to be indifferent regarding himself and his welfare." The discourse continues and is basically Adam Smith circa 150 CE.
Read Pierre Hadot (modern French philosopher) first, then Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.

Great book. Stoicism presented by one of its greatest sons. This book presents a time in philosophy when philosophy was not words but about the pursuit of the question "How does one live a good life.". This is philosophy.

Needed the book for a philosophy class. Book came quickly and just as described. Good quality, book, and for once I actually enjoyed something in philosophy when I read it....

Stoicism is the way to go :P