xiii, 113 pages ; 21 cm Presents a new interpretation of first century's Epictetus' clearly stated guidelines for moral progress and personal character development "A tree clause book"--Title page verso The spirit of Epictetus -- A manual for living: Invitation to the manual. Know what you can control and what you can't -- Stick with your own business -- Recognize appearances for what they really are -- Desire demands its own attainment -- See things for what they are -- Harmonize your actions with the way life is -- Events don't hurt us, but our views of them can -- No shame, no blame -- Create your own merit -- Focus on your main duty -- Accept events as they occur -- Your will is always within your power -- Make full use of what happens to you -- Care for what you happen to have -- The good life is the life of inner serenity -- Disregard what doesn't concern you -- Conform your wishes to reality -- Approach life as a banquet -- Avoid adopting other people's negative views -- Act well the part that is given to you -- Everything happens for a good reason -- Happiness can only be found within -- No one can hurt you -- Spiritual progress is made through confronting death and calamity -- Implant in yourself the ideals you ought to cherish -- The pursuit of wisdom attracts critics -- Seeking to please is a perilous trap -- Character matters more than reputation All advantages have their price -- Make the will of nature your own -- Self-mastery is our true aim -- Treasure your mind, cherish your reason, hold to your purpose -- Consider what comes first, then what follows, and then act -- Our duties are revealed by our relations with one another -- The essence of faithfulness -- Events are impersonal and indifferent -- Never suppress a generous impulse -- Clearly define the person you want to be -- Speak only with good purpose -- Avoid most popular entertainment -- Be careful about the company you keep -- Take care of your body -- Avoid casual sex -- Don't defend your reputation or intentions -- Conduct yourself with dignity -- Emulate worthy role models -- Exercise discretion when conversing -- Prefer enduring satisfaction to immediate gratification -- Take a stand -- Courtesy and logic each have their place -- Self-mastery depends on self-honesty -- Safeguard your reason -- Observe proper proportion and moderation -- Inner excellence matters more than outer appearance -- Care about your mind more than your body -- Mistreatment comes from false impressions -- Everything has two handles -- Clear thinking is vital -- Call things by their right names -- Wisdom is revealed through action, not talk -- Live simply for your own sake -- Wisdom depends on vigilance -- Living wisdom is more important than knowing about it -- Practicing principles matters more than proving them -- Start living your ideals Essential teachings on virtue, happiness, and tranquility. Why be good? The soul's cry -- The real purpose of philosophy -- The first step -- The flourishing life depends on self-sufficiency -- Starting out is hard -- Good is good -- Be suspicious of convention -- The virtuous are invincible -- Be a citizen of the world -- Consider your deepest yearnings merely as facts -- The right use of books -- Exercise caution when mingling with others -- Forgive over and over and over -- The virtuous are consistent -- Trust your moral intuitions -- Don't be angry at wrongdoers -- The only prosperous life if the virtuous life -- Pursue the good ardently -- What is important and what isn't -- Reason is supreme -- Learn to heal yourself -- Stay the course, in good weather and bad -- Be grateful -- Never casually discuss important matters -- What makes us truly happy -- The power of habit -- Caretake this moment Includes bibliographical references