The Enchiridion

'Some things are within our power, while others are not.' So begins this short handbook of Stoic philosophy, which teaches that our opinions, desires and actions are up to us, while our bodies, property, reputation and the actions of others are not, and that unhappiness comes from confusing the two. In brief chapters it gives practical advice for keeping calm through loss, insult and misfortune: people are disturbed not by things, but by the views they take of things.

Epictetus (about 50–135) was born a slave in Asia Minor, was freed and taught philosophy in Greece; he wrote nothing himself, and the Enchiridion, 'handbook', is a summary of his teaching made by his student Arrian. It deeply influenced Marcus Aurelius, whose Meditations quote Epictetus, and it is widely read today by people interested in Stoicism and in modern cognitive therapy.