What where the chances that a slave, who had been beaten to lameness by his former master, would rise and become one of the most influential Stoic philosophers of all time? Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. This shines through in his handbook, a.k.a. The Enchiridion, which is a short but useful manual for living a better life. In this article you’ll find some of the highlights from the handbook, together with some commentary of my own.
Read MoreA modern translation makes all the difference
When approaching texts by the old philosophers, one is often confronted with language that is more or less incomprehensible. Even if you would read a translation into your native language, the names and references won’t make much sense to you, unless you spend a lot of time researching and understanding what things actually meant or symbolised in Roman times.
Read MoreEnvy, our darkest and most secret deadly sin
Having recently read several books on happiness, it seems clear that avoiding negative emotions and favoring positive emotions is a good strategy for a happier life. Of all the negative emotions, envy is often described as the worst – a disease of the soul.
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