Summary of Epictetus's How to Be Free

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The Encheiridion is a selection from Epictetus’s speeches that are most timely and essential to philosophy. It was originally written by Arrian, a Platonist philosopher, and was adapted and paraphrased by Christians in the Middle Ages. #2 The transmission of Epictetus’s work is free from serious contamination and scribal error for the most part. My translation of the Encheiridion follows Oldfather’s Greek text of the Loeb Classical Library edition, which is based on the edition of Schenkl. #3 Remember that everything in the world is up to us. We can choose our faculties of judgment, motivation, desire, and aversion. We cannot choose our body and property, our reputations, and our official positions, which are not up to us. #4 When you are about to start on an activity, remind yourself what it is like. If you go out to bathe, picture what happens at a bathhouse—the people there who splash you or jostle you or talk rudely or steal your things. In this way, you will be more prepared to start on the activity.