Enchiridion

Main ideas

• A short handbook of Stoic practice, compiled by Epictetus’ student Arrian.
• The distinction between what is up to us and what is not.

Important themes

Reading context

A short handbook compiled by Arrian from the teaching of Epictetus, who had been enslaved before he taught. It is a manual for practice rather than theory, which is why it travelled so well.

How to approach it

It takes an hour. Read it, then read it again a month later. The opening distinction between what is and is not in our power is the whole book in miniature.