Discourses, Books 3-4. Fragments. the Encheiridion

Stoicism is very popular today and there are a lot of sources and books from many different authors. It's always best to start with the originals. Epictetus is a good place to begin your journey with Stoic Philosophy.

One might as well bite the bullet and get Loeb editions for ease of reference and use. The print quality, as mentioned by others, could be a bit clearer. I also picked up a copy of the Encheiridon (Manual on the Art of Living) from the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens. It's the Encheiridon and nothing else but well laid out with Greek and English facing and clearly numbered. The print size makes it much easier and pleasant to read. I also find the translation (by P.E. Matheson) slightly preferable in places to W.A. Oldfather's in Loeb's edition. However it's not worth sacrificing the Greek text if you can't get the MCA edition – as other, cheap editions of the Matheson seem to be the translation only. And of course with the Loeb you get Books 3 & 4 of the Discourses and the Fragments as well.

This is the second of the two volume Loeb Classical Library edition of Epictetus' Discourses, with Greek and W. A. Oldfather's English translation on facing pages. For those who have no intgerest in the Greek, purchasing this volume may seem like a bit of overkill when compared with inexpensive reprints such as the one from NuVision Publications (September 19, 2006). As someone who bought the reprint first, I must tell you I tried to use it once and was immediately disappointed. Just as with my copies of Homer, Plato, Aristotle, and practically every other classic author, I rarely read them or parts of them from start to finish. Rather, I look up sections when I find references to them in commentaries on, for example, parts of the Old or New Testaments. In order to find the appropriate passage, one must use the established section and paragraph numbering. Unfortunately, this numbering is entirely missing from the reprint, which I have donated to my nearest library after receiving my Loeb copies. These little gems cost about four times the reprint, but for that, you get a book you will be proud to own, and even show off a bit on your bookshelf, plus a great little commentary on the Discourses, as well as the 'Fragments' and 'The Encheiridion', a summary of Epictetus thoughts by his secretary, Arrian. The reprint has none of this and, for the third time, I suggest it is less than useless, as it gives the illusion of value, and you will be disappointed when you find it missing.

I have now read many translations of Epictetus from the Everymans, to NUVISION and the dover classic of the Encheiridon. Hannds down no questions asked these two Loeb books 1 & 2 are the best and should be the books purchased. I made the mistake of buying the NuVision one and it can not compare. I will have to wait and purchase these books later. If you like Epictetus and are interested in his teachings gets these books. They are small too and very portable another big plus for me while commuting. The notes are good and the translation is just so much better. A wonderful top quality book.

this is an excellent book. on one side in Greek an the other in English. excellent, just excellent!