An immense dose of Epictetus would do us all a great deal of good, and I am grateful (beyond irony) to Tom Wolfe for reviving Epictetus - Harold Bloom. So what makes the writings of this former slave so powerful today? Epictetus observed that although everyday life is fraught with difficulty, a life of virtue is within reach. He dedicated his life to outlining the simple way to happiness, fulfillment, and tranquility. By putting into practice the 93 witty, wise, and razor-sharp instructions that make up The Art of Living , readers learn to gracefully meet the challenges of everyday life as well as life's inevitable major losses and disappointments.
Epictetus (circa 55-135 ce) taught in Rome until the year 94 ce, when Emperor Domitian banished philosophers from the city. In exile, he established a school of philosophy where his distinguished students included Marcus Aurelius, author of Meditations. Some 1,863 years after Epictetus's death, Tom Wolfe revived his philosophy in the bestselling novel A Man in Full. Sharon Lebell is a philosophical writer and musician who lives in Northern California. She also produced Epictetus's A Manual for Living.
Title: "The Art of Living": The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness (Plus)
Author: Sharon Lebell
ISBN: 9780061286056
Binding:
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Publication Date: 2007-07-05
Number of Pages: 144
Weight: 0.1588 kg
A treasury of eternally good advice, wise as a grandfather, earthy as the Tao. -- Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart The message of Epictetus is as vital today as it ever was. -- Jacob Needleman, author of The Heart of Philosophy Epictetus sounds like the Buddha, and Sharon Lebell's voice makes him sound like the delightful man next door. -- Sylvia Boorstein, author of It's Easier Than You Think