• Manual for Living

  • By: Epictetus
  • Narrated by: Jim Roberts
  • Length: 55 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (315 ratings)

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Manual for Living  By  cover art

Manual for Living

By: Epictetus
Narrated by: Jim Roberts
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Publisher's summary

Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher. This short "handbook", which was actually written down by one of his pupils, is a guide to daily living. It has been read by countless people over the centuries because of its sensibility and its easy application to daily living. Unlike some of his forefathers in philosophy, like Plato and Aristotle, he focuses on how to practically apply oneself on a philosophical level.

Public Domain (P)2009 Jimcin Recordings

What listeners say about Manual for Living

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Did the Buddha know of stoics or visa versa?

I'm not sure this isn't just another translation of what I've already read. Still, it was quite good and any repetition would do me no harm. I was say the major thesis was the development of equanimity. I don't think people always understand the concept. The concept is NOT about NOT feeling, it is about not being attached to any feeling. There is specific advice in the book reminding us that our feelings are tied to our thoughts. If I don't get something, it isn't sad, it's my thought about the thing which has me feel sad.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great handbook for life.

The translation is awkward, and the voice acting is good, but takes some getting used to.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thousands of years old book and still valid

short manual how live like stoic. if you obey the rules you will be happy

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simple and practical

This is an ideal book for the stoic at heart.

The length of the chapters of this audio book is ideal for a morning start or bedtime review.

The text is easily understood and the narrator makes it even more so.

This is the type of book you listen to repeatedly as the ideas and your reflections will meet to become enlightenment.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Principles to live by

I will definitely have to pick up the actual book to really put all of this to practice. I believe that if you where truly to put everything into practice that this book tells you to ur life would be much easier. The challenging part is actually executing.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Timeless wisdom

The writing of Epictetus is as relevant, practical and powerful today as the day it was written. His writing should be required reading in all schools. He teaches how to build one's character, achieve excellence in, and take control of, one's life. He is not advocating the easiest life, but rather, the best life possible.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great message condensed in 55 minutes.

My only gripe is that I wished it was longer. But I suppose it was only what it was meant to be. A "manual" for living, no more.
Good listen, good price. Ok-ish narration.

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14 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • 01-31-17

Bad reading good book

I enjoyed the book however as many have pointed out the narration is very odd with unusual intonation and pace

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Inconsistency of relevance

Due to the age some topics are irrelevant I. The current world. However it made many points which I resonated with

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Great, Concise Handbook for Stoics

Very good summary of Stoic ideas. Performance was average, and only tolerable because the piece was so short.

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3 people found this helpful