Customer Reviews

A Manual for Living (Little Book of Wisdom (Harper San Francisco))

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The first cognitive-behavioral therapist, so to speak, was the philosopher Epictetus (50-120 AD). His most important ideas have stood the test of 1,900 years astonishingly well. To paraphrase some excerpts from his Handbook, especially Sharon Lobell's new edition ....

Control:

He said that happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of this principle: some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after we have accepted this fundamental rule, and learned to distinguish between what we can and cannot control, that inner tranquillity and outer effectiveness become possible.

This is a cardinal principle of today's cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as the basis of AA's famous "Serenity Prayer." Further CBT principles foreshadowed by Epictetus....

Where trouble comes from:

Things themselves don't hurt or hinder us. Neither do other people. How we view things and people is a different matter. Strange as it may seem at first, it is our own attitudes and reactions that give us the most trouble. We cannot always choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.

Legislating for the world:

Circumstances do not arise to meet our desires or expectations. Events happen as they do. People behave according to their own inclinations and what they are faced with - which we may not even be aware of. Don't try to make your own rules that the world is supposed to follow. That is a recipe for frustration. Exercise what influence you can, then accept what you actually get and make the most of it.

Habits:

We are creatures of habit, reacting automatically to events as they happen. It thus matters greatly what our habits are. They are mostly a matter of practice. The oftener we do something, and the more circumstances in which we do it, the more it becomes a habit. Therefore, to make something a habit, do it. To make something not a habit, don't do it. To change a habit, do something else instead.

Good work, Eppy! You were WAY ahead of your time.

His writings are incredibly similar to many self-improvement and psychology books of today. As a result of Epictetus, we quickly realize that people were and still are in search of the same thing today that they strived for two thousand years ago: happiness, fulfillment, accomplishing goals, and possessing a sense of worth, among others. Such is the human ego. As powerfully yearning for fulfillment then as it is now.

Some familiar with Epictetus' works assert he had an influence on historical and contemporary psychology because his writings influenced many modern shapers of thought in Roman times, which are the roots, in part, of our eclecticism.

Epictetus was born a slave around 55 A.D. in Phrygia, on the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire. One of Epictetus' quotes we often hear (phrasing slightly altered) today and need to be reminded of is: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the thing I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Some of the time tested "isms" here are from the titles of his mini-chapters. Some examples,

*Know what you can control and what you cannot
*Conform your wants and expectations to reality
*Avoid adopting other people's negative views
*Happiness can only be found within
*No one can hurt you
*Those who seek wisdom in life will be ridiculed
*Never suppress a generous impulse
*Character matters more than reputation

"Manual For Living," interpreted by Sharan Lebell, is a small book that can be easily carried around, and quickly referred to. Instead of heading to the next Dr., psychologist, or self helper, get "Manual For Living." It's the got the same information at a fraction of the price. Epictetus may have left our world of humanity quite a long time ago, but his message is immortal.

The remarkable thing about this book is it contains so much wisdom in so few words. It truly lives up to its title - A Manual For Living.

If there is any fault to be found with the book it would be in its brevity. I have read many books that say less in four times the number of words.

It is really amazing that so many of the truths of living a purposeful life filled with happiness have been around for so long. We struggle with day to day problems because we fail to seek the answers contained in this book.

It is also amazing that most of todays graduates of institutions of higer learning do not possess the wisdom that Epictetus did. We seem to have become a nation concentrating on acquiring knowledge without learning how to apply that knowledge. Epictetus shows us the way to achieve our purpose in life. To achieve freedom, which he says is the ultimate way to live.

Some of the better lessons are:

You become what you give your attention to.

Think things through and fully commit!

A half-hearted spirit has no power. Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes.

Wise people on the other hand realise that we are the source of everything good or bad.

It you want all the wisdom without an excessive amount of reading, this book is for you. It is short enough you can read it weekly and let the concepts sink into your subconscious mind where they can lead you to the life you were designed to live.

If you want to read Epictetus, please order a copy of his Discourses or Enchiridion. This is an "updated" version of him with adjustments made whereever. Have fun deciding where Epictetus leaves off and Sharon picks up.

Like selling postcards of the Last Supper with rouge painted on the cheeks.

So what if this book veers away from Epictetus' original 2000 year old manuscript. So what if Sharon Lebell interjected some modern philosophy... The point is, this is just good common sense, positive attitude stuff. I liked it. If you like short, feel good commentary, you will too!

Sharon Lebell's paraphrases of the Roman Stoic Epictetus are convincingly presented in this little guidebook. Much of the core Stoic philosophy is translated for us in this brief but philosophically weighty interpretation: See things for what they are; guard against a false sense of self-importance; practice indifference to external conditions; the life of wisdom demands its price; speak impeccably; you become what you give your attentions to; action is what counts, not talk; practice tact and tolerance; wisdom depends upon vigilance.

Highly recommended. And a very quick read.

Epictetus also recommends the study of Heraclitus and Diogenes, his philosophical ancestors.

Parataxis

Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts

The Cloud Reckoner

This small book contains concise and easy to verify life's truths which enhance our joy of life.It allows to readers and practitioners to choose consciously between boring, bitter, sour and sterile or sweet and fulfilling life under any circumstances.It can be used from time to time or daily as handy helper and worthy reminder on the paths of everyday life. This jewel of wisdom gives a powerful thrust adequate for both; young ones and adults,giving them immense support and leaving them absolute freedom traveling the path of the heart.

I recommend, instead of purchasing this version of Epictetus' writings instead purchasing the Penguin Classics "Discourses and Selected Writings" of Epictetus instead, especially considering it is only a dollar or two more expensive than this book. This I recommend for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it has much more of Epictetus writings. The Penguin Edition has Epictetus' Discourses as well as his Enchiridion and fragments of this other works. This version only has his Discourses.

Secondly, the introduction to the Penguin Classics is sizeable and written by a true scholar of antiquity (Professor Robert Dobbin), unlike the introduction by the author of this version of the book, written by Sharon Lebbel. Lebbel's introduction is only about 10 paragraphs long and her background is definitely not on a par with Dobbin's. Thirdly, Lebbel's translation (if it is even a translation as opposed to only a "reinterpretation") is very contemporary. The Penguin Classics edition, on the other hand, is much more in line with what Epictetus probably had in mind. Although not as "hip" as Lebbel's translation or interpretation (the book never makes clear whether or not Lebbel even translated it or just "reinterpreted" it from the translations of others) it is probably much more akin to what Epictetus had actually written.

For the above reasons the Penguin Classics editions is a far superior alternative to this rather flimsy 80 page book (each "page" consists of about 1 paragraph compared to the over 200 page version of Dobbin's).

This book is a revolutionary text... created many years ago, and still pertains to life as we know it today. The simplicity of its writings and ease of its message makes it invaluable. ciaobel

Only a three star average, what a shame. A great book for every human being to read and heed. Not enough people care about the great historical minds, beliefs and philosophies of the past upon which society has been so much benefited anymore. Perhaps that is why we, and our leaders, fail so much today.

I have studied philosophies throughout my lifetime in search of basic truths and the founding philosophies of our beginning and the establishment of this great country of ours. If one can put aside partisan, political and special interest irrational distain for the truth for a moment any student of the same knows that they (our founding fathers and mothers) were well read and well schooled on the great philosophies of the past and those of their present. It is amazing the amount of accumulated knowledge one can obtain without video games, television, epodes, cell phones, radio, the internet and the distractions of a hedonistic Hollywood entertainment industry in their lives.

Here in this little book are many of the founding set of principles for the American Dream. Surely it is not the single source of the wisdom of the ages or the definitive foundation that the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States used to produce this nation, but certainly one of the cornerstones in that logical process.

Other reviewers incorrectly, I believe, associate it with Freudian teachings and others find it far too simple and morally founded to fit into their "far too liberal" ideologies.

But one of its basic tenants that "Understanding what freedom really is and how it is achieved" is the key to all past logic. Also, that "freedom is not the right or ability to do whatever you please (a logic applied by our very first Supreme Court Justice...John Jay). But more "freedom comes from understanding the limits of our own power and the natural limits set in place by divine providence."

Sound familiar, it certainly should, it could have been take right out of the discussions during the fight for independence and the drafting of our most basic document, the Declaration of Independence.

Lebell has certainly capture more of the inner man than Nicholas White's Handbook on Epictetus and those critics who previously said Lebell did not stay true to Epictetus' writings are way off base as he did not leave any writings and it all comes to us second hand and with that prejudices, personal baggage and misread interpretations.

So as we all must decide which we will agree with I choose this wonderful "Little book of wisdom on how to live well." The logic in this interpretation certainly flows better and is proven by those who followed Epictetus than the Nay-Sayers who criticize it and its accuracy.

Good job Sharon, I may indeed carry this treasure with me as an aid and comfort