Epictetus: Discourses, Book IV and the Enchiridion

A Complete Volume of Epictetus’ Stoic Teaching

Epictetus: Discourses, Book IV and the Enchiridion brings together the concluding book of the Discourses and the complete Enchiridion, the celebrated handbook that distils the essential principles of Epictetus’ philosophy.

Book IV of the Discourses examines freedom, moral independence, personal conduct, philosophical progress, purity, attention and the responsibilities arising from our relationships with others. Epictetus challenges the reader to distinguish genuine freedom from dependence upon status, possessions, reputation and external circumstances.

The Enchiridion presents the practical heart of Stoicism in fifty-three concise sections. Its central distinction—between what lies within our power and what does not—offers a disciplined approach to judgement, desire, adversity, responsibility and inner tranquillity.

This carefully prepared EPHILO edition presents the texts in polished contemporary British English, with philosophical terminology harmonised across the complete series of Epictetus’ Discourses.

The volume includes:

• All thirteen chapters of Discourses, Book IV
• The complete Enchiridion in fifty-three sections
• Thirty-nine fragments attributed to Epictetus
• Blaise Pascal’s Conversation with M. de Sacy
• An account of the textual history of the Discourses
• Dr Ioannis S. Christodoulou’s study The Teaching of Philosophy
• Introduction, commentary and bibliography
• One hundred bidirectionally linked scholarly notes
• A biographical note on the translator and editor

Both a work of classical philosophy and a practical guide to self-command, this edition invites readers to examine the foundations of freedom, character and the philosophical life.

Introduction, Translation and Commentary:
Dr Ioannis S. Christodoulou

Published by:
EPHILO — International Publishing & Dialogue
THEORIA — School of Calm Thought