Epictetus

Epictetus, Discourses, i.1.4; i.20 It is the right use of the impressions (phantasia) that bombard the mind that is in our power: Epictetus, Discourses, ii.19.32.

Epictetus is mentioned in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce : in the fifth chapter of the novel the protagonist Stephen Daedalus discusses Epictetus's famous lamp with a Dean of his college.

Then it continues on to the English translations of Epictetus’s texts, which generally highlight how humans should react to life circumstances.

As Epictetus pointed out, “It is not things that disturb us, but the opinions we have about them”This statement reminds us that it is not the facts themselves that generate suffering, but the interpretation we give them.

That is a far cry from the claim that “we don’t need more dead white guys’ literature,” which Montaigne seems to greatly appreciate, referencing Seneca, Epictetus, Homer and even Lucretius (again) directly after Teegerstrom’s quote.

Christopher Gill, 1995, The Discourses of Epictetus, page xx.

Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior.

Epictetus, Discourses, i.12.16–17 We should conduct ourselves through life fulfilling all our duties as children, siblings, parents, and citizens.

Epictetus, Discourses, i.1; Enchiridion, 1 That alone is in our power, which is our own work; and in this class are our opinions, impulses, desires, and aversions.

Epictetus, Discourses, i.2.1 The good person should labour chiefly on their own reason; to perfect this is in our power.

Epictetus, Discourses, ii.10.4–5 We have all a certain part to play in the world, and we have done enough when we have performed what our nature allows.

Epictetus, Discourses, ii.11.1 Logic provides valid reasoning and certainty in judgment, but it is subordinate to practical needs.

Epictetus, Discourses, ii.17.22–33 Every individual is connected with the rest of the world, and the universe is fashioned for universal harmony.

Epictetus, Discourses, iii.20.4–14 The good person, if able to foresee the future, would peacefully and contentedly help to bring about their own sickness, maiming, and even death, knowing that this is the right order of the universe.

Epictetus, Discourses, iii.2.1–6; Enchiridion, 52 Both the Discourses and the Enchiridion begin by distinguishing between those things in our power (prohairetic things) and those things not in our power (aprohairetic things).

Epictetus, Discourses, iii.3.14–19; Enchiridion, 6 Reason alone is good, and the irrational is evil, and the irrational is intolerable to the rational.

Epictetus, Enchiridion, 34. The first object of philosophy, therefore, is to purify the mind.

Epictetus maintains that the foundation of all philosophy is self-knowledge, that is, the conviction of our ignorance and gullibility ought to be the first subject of our study.

Epictetus said difficult problems in life should not be avoided, but rather embraced.

Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline.