Epictetus

I had read the Meditations, but I was unfamiliar with this. Sadly, we have nothing directly from a Stoic philosopher, just the comments and notes of others. Stoicism, at least as I hear about it from the Roman sources, sometimes seems like cowboy etiquette ("Don't scream out when they cut for the bullet"), and there is considerable advice here about such topics as whether it would be better to be castrated or killed when the emperor demands it. In fact, I don't think any real answer is given, it is just implied that that you might as well be killed with only an aside that you might opt for castration if it doesn't mean that much to you. Stoicism, sometimes seems like distorted Epicureanism, as if Epicurus had booted out a sad and "stoic" member of the commune and this is what he came up with. So Epicurus was concerned with whether desires were natural and necessary (e.g. your friends), or natural but unnecessary (e.g. your slaves) or unnatural and unnecessary (e.g. high political office), while Epictetus was concerned with whether a thing was within our power or not within our power. It is as if Epicureans were looking for the best way to live one's life with an assumption that they had the means to do as they pleased, while Stoics were looking for the best way to live one's life with the assumption that you would just have to make do.… (more)

My first stoicism text.
I really enjoyed reading the book. It's supposed to (or at least I feel it's more effective this way) be used as a guidebook than something you read in one go.
There is nothing startlingly new or that cannot be found in stoicism videos on YouTube. However, I am glad to have a single book that covers most aspects of the stoic lifestyle. Most of it is applicable in life, some of it, I have to admit, has a more passive and resigned nature to it. I'm not saying that there is something wrong with believing that everything that happens is predetermined. But just that it doesn't sit right with me.
Due to the lack of my ability to put it into better words, I am going to stop here.
As great as Stoicism or any philosophy is it is always wise to not blindly believe teachings and apply them to your life. So take what you need and apply what you can.… (more)