The Enchiridion

In this classic of stoic philosophy, Epictetus gives short rules for living a well-ordered life, defined by knowing what is in your control and not getting upset about what isn't. Compiled by his student Arrian from classroom lectures, it distills a lifetime of ethical teaching into fifty-two short precepts. In true Stoci fashion, there's no metaphysics, cosmology, or fluff, just clear nd simple rules for living a considered and well-balanced life.The basic principle is is simple: separate what depends on you from what doesn't. Epictetus says you should focus on the things that are on your side, like judgment, impulse, desire, and aversion, and ignore or rise above the things that are not on your side, like body, property, reputation, office, and death itself. Everything outside your will is “indifferent”—not because it lacks value, but because it's not in your control. If it's not down to you, why worry about it? He says we should treat any disturbance we can't control as a mistake in