A Favorite of 3,
Read by 9,
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Quotes
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"Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what
...(more) you can and can't control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible." The Stoic philosopher Epictetus was born on the eastern edges of the Roman Empire in A.D. 55, but The Art of Living is still perfectly suited for any contemporary self-help or recovery program. To prove the point, this modern interpretation by Sharon Lebell casts the teachings in up-to-date language, with phrases like "power broker" and "casual sex" popping up intermittently. But the core is still the same: Epictetus keeps the focus on progress over perfection, on accomplishing what can be accomplished and abandoning unproductive worry over what cannot.(less)
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About This Book
Beyond being wise Epictetus is one of the few who recommends the need for humility for any lasting peace of mind.
Superficially appearing old fashioned this is one of the essential books that is worth to be chosen when you are doomed to take only one book with you on your way through life. I gave it to my son for graduation and I don't think he read it, but I know he has all the wisdom he ever needs to discover on his bookshelf.
Besides this, it is essential reading for anyone who needs to grow up after a detour of dependence, addiction, or any other detour in life that requires some help to get back to a self-responsible path, that is recovery and grounding in reality and straight thinking.