Discourses

What Hacker News says

1. 0xmattfJan 2026
   I only read non-fiction; mostly philosophy. Here are some books off the top of my head:

   * The Inner Citadel/Philosophy as a Way of Life by Pierre Hadot

   * Plato's dialogues (someone already mentioned a few of them, but the Republic was missing from their list).

   * Epictetus (Discourses and Enchiridion)

   * The various essays/letters of Seneca

   * Matter and Consciousness by Churchland (older, but fascinating)

   * The Mediations of Marcus Aurelius

   * (mostly) any Buddhist texts

   * What a Plant Knows

   * Moonwalking with Einstein

   There are tons of fascinating books, way too many to list.

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2. 1659447091Mar 2025
   I also find it odd how you came to this conclusion from his writings. However, I first studied Epictetus[0] (I prefer Discourses to the handbook), who inspired Aurelius--thus read Aurelius through the lens of Epictetus. Which is a very different take on Stoicism that has nothing to do with the adjective, stoic as some new aged takes seem to associate. There was also a link on here awhile back to some professors lecture on YouTube, but I can't remember it, that I thought had a really great take on Stoicism and Aurelius. (maybe someone will know it and post)

   My short take on Stoicism is about being responsible for your actions, really owning them, plus the understanding needed to be able to do so. Which includes not giving your power of will to others; especially due to social constructs. Worshiping "leaders/authority" tends to make a person believe they are no longer responsible for themselves, the leader is now in ownership of that. There is a gained inner peace (thus joy and lightness) in owning your will. (Here is one of my favorite passages[1])

   It's not about having no feeling or joy (being deeply hollow, dissociative, etc)--very much the opposite--or at least the Epictetus teaching. It's also not about giving up and not doing anything or caring, even though that is a lot of people's (wrong, imo) take. It's the opposite, enjoy what you can but don't be so distraught over the things you can not control that you cause self-harm or make it worse. You can not control a region wide wild fire burning your house down, but you can control your response--you can freak out and cause more distress to your family or you can comfort them and find ways to bring people together and rebuild. Your choice, just take responsibility for whatever you choose. That is Stoicism, not having a "stiff upper lip" and pushing through by being a tyrant by default. If you want to chose that okay, then that was what you thought was right for you, but own the consequences of those actions, that part is the Stoicism.

   [0] https://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/discourses.html

   [1] https://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/discourses.1.one.html#103

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3. seizethecheeseMay 2023
   Reading Epictetus’ Discourses has had a profoundly positive impact on my life.

   One note, the authors claims Arrian wrote The Discourses over four books, but in reality it was eight and only four survive. This calls into question the scholarship here.

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4. marginalia_nuMay 2023
   Yeah. I too recommend it. Discourses is a very pleasant read. Epictetus comes off a bit as the "Dr House" of philosophy. He has a very unique tone.
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5. seizethecheeseSep 2022
   I enjoy reading old texts on how to live. Recommendation: Epictetus’ Discourses.

   This article was interesting enough but I couldn’t find any of the cited texts online. Is anyone aware or examples that you can actually access?

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6. rramadassMay 2022
   The basic idea of Critical Thinking has already been provided by the Stoics, here is Epictetus' Discourses;

   In the first place, do not allow yourself to be carried away by [the] intensity [of your impression]: but say, ‘Impression, wait for me a little. Let me see what you are, and what you represent. Let me test you.’ Then, afterwards, do not allow it to draw you on by picturing what may come next, for if you do, it will lead you wherever it pleases. (Discourses 2.18.24–5, trans. Hard)

   The third area of study has to do with assent, and what is plausible and attractive. For, just as Socrates used to say that we are not to lead an unexamined life, so neither are we to accept an unexamined impression, but to say, ‘Stop, let me see what you are, and where you come from’, just as the night-watch say, ‘Show me your token.’ (Discourses 3.12.14–15, trans. Hard)

   Make it your study then to confront every harsh impression with the words, ‘You are but an impression, and not at all what you seem to be’. Then test it by those rules that you possess; and first by this–the chief test of all–’Is it concerned with what is in our power or with what is not in our power?’ And if it is concerned with what is not in our power, be ready with the answer that it is nothing to you. (Handbook 1.5, trans. Matheson)

   Reference: https://iep.utm.edu/epictetu/

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