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Open Philosophy LibraryThe EnchiridionEpictetus

The Enchiridion

By Epictetus

The Enchiridion is Epictetus' compact handbook of Stoic practice, compiled by his student Arrian in the early second century CE. Across fifty-one Roman-numbered sections in Thomas Wentworth Higginson's translation, it explains the distinction between what is within our power and what is not, then applies it to desire, loss, relationships, duty, reputation and philosophical training.

Translator or editor
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Publication
Early 2nd century CE (Higginson English translation published 1865)
Genre
Stoic handbook; practical moral philosophy
Era
Ancient Philosophy

About this work

The Enchiridion, or Handbook, is a concise guide to Stoic practice based on the teaching of Epictetus and compiled by his student Arrian. Its short sections were designed as principles to keep ready for use rather than as a continuous theoretical treatise. The work opens by distinguishing what is within our power - judgement, aim, desire, aversion and voluntary response - from externals such as body, property, reputation and office. Freedom begins when moral good is located in the responsible use of one's own agency rather than in outcomes governed by fortune. The handbook applies this distinction to illness, death, possessions, family relationships, public opinion, worship and social duty. It teaches the reader to examine impressions before assenting to them, remember the changing nature of external things and fulfil appropriate roles without making tranquillity dependent upon success. Epictetus also challenges philosophical display. Reading, commentary and logical demonstration have value only when they support conduct. Progress is shown through restraint, patience, honesty and consistency when pleasure, pain, praise or disgrace put principles under pressure. This edition contains all fifty-one Roman-numbered sections found in Thomas Wentworth Higginson's 1865 English translation, with clean paragraph formatting for continuous online reading.

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