Epictetus was a respected Stoic philosopher known for his practical insights on living wisely. His teachings, collected in works like Enchiridion and the Discourses, emphasize personal freedom, resilience, and a calm mind in life's challenges.
If you enjoy reading books by Epictetus then you might also like the following authors:
Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor deeply inspired by Stoicism. His private writings, collected in Meditations, offer personal reflections on life, duty, and inner peace.
He writes clearly and sincerely about accepting life's difficulties, staying calm under pressure, and cultivating virtues like justice and wisdom. If Epictetus appeals to you, Aurelius' thoughtful and practical examples will resonate as well.
Seneca the Younger, a Roman philosopher known for accessibility and directness, approaches Stoic ideas through letters and essays. His writing has a conversational warmth, gently guiding his readers on topics like courage, self-control, and facing life's uncertainties.
Letters to Lucilius provides great insight into Seneca's thoughts, combining practical advice with empathy—a great follow-up read for fans of Epictetus.
Zeno of Citium founded Stoicism back in ancient Athens. Though we have only fragments of his original ideas today, his philosophy emphasizes rational thinking, virtue as the highest good, and emotional balance when faced with life's ups and downs.
Reading or studying what remains of his ideas, as collected by later historians, can help deepen your understanding of Stoicism's roots. A good resource is Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius, in which Zeno’s foundational teachings are explored.
Chrysippus came after Zeno and helped develop Stoicism with logic and careful argumentation. While most of his original writings are lost, he wrote extensively, debating and analyzing ideas to make Stoicism clearer and more systematic.
Chrysippus' contributions, well-summarized in collections like Diogenes Laërtius' Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, demonstrate his logical precision and seriousness in exploring ethics and human nature.
Musonius Rufus was a direct teacher of Epictetus, so fans of Epictetus may find his ideas especially relevant. Musonius placed less emphasis on abstract theories and more on practical advice and daily behavior.
He argued strongly for living simply, being patient, and learning self-control. His lectures, collected in Lectures and Sayings, offer straightforward teachings and concrete advice that readers can easily apply to daily life.
If you enjoy Epictetus' practical wisdom on living a virtuous life, Hierocles is another Stoic philosopher worth exploring. In On Duties, Hierocles provides clear, thoughtful advice on ethics and our responsibilities toward family, friends, and society.
His style is straightforward and approachable, focusing on building harmony and closeness among people.
If Epictetus appeals to you because of his reflections on virtue and ethical living, Plato might capture your interest as well. Plato's writings clarify philosophical concepts through engaging dialogues that remain open and inviting.
In The Republic, Plato explores ideas about justice, morality, and the ideal society, offering timeless insights and questions still relevant today.
If you value the common-sense approach Epictetus uses to explain ethics and virtue, consider Aristotle. Aristotle investigates ethics and virtue methodically, carefully examining human behavior and how to fulfill our potential.
In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle presents a thoughtful exploration of happiness, virtue, friendship, and the good human life.
Epictetus often emphasized self-examination and personal responsibility—both key themes found earlier in Socrates' teachings. While Socrates left no writings himself, we learn about his ideas through the works of others such as Plato.
In Plato's portrayal within dialogues like The Apology, Socrates engages people in meaningful conversations about morality, self-awareness, and the examined life.
If you're drawn to Epictetus' Stoicism but also want a wider understanding of philosophy in general, Diogenes Laërtius provides valuable insights.
In his work Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Diogenes Laërtius shares biographical sketches and stories about ancient philosophers and their approaches to life.
He writes in an accessible, engaging style, offering readers a broad yet personal look into philosophers' lives and beliefs.
If you like Epictetus for his practical approach to philosophy and ethics, you'll probably enjoy Cicero. A Roman statesman and philosopher, Cicero wrote works focused on ethics, duty, and how to lead a good life.
His book, On Duties (De Officiis), offers straightforward advice on ethical living, personal responsibility, and public service.
Boethius tackled philosophy through thoughtful dialogue in his book, The Consolation of Philosophy. Like Epictetus, Boethius highlights inner resilience and how to cope with misfortune.
Written while he was imprisoned and facing execution, this work manages to blend philosophical reflection with storytelling, offering comfort amid life's uncertainty.
Michel de Montaigne's accessible, thoughtful essays explore the big questions of life in a personal style. If you appreciate Epictetus' practical wisdom and clear language, Montaigne's reflections will appeal to you.
His book, Essays, covers themes like friendship, solitude, happiness, and human nature, making philosophy approachable to everyone.
If Epictetus' straightforward teachings have resonated with you, consider trying Ryan Holiday's work. Holiday brings Stoic ideas into simple, everyday language.
In his book, The Obstacle Is the Way, he explains clearly how we can turn struggles and problems into opportunities for growth, using modern examples along with practical Stoic principles.
Massimo Pigliucci bridges ancient philosophy and modern science. If you value Epictetus' practical attitude toward life's challenges, Pigliucci offers a similar perspective updated for today's reader.
His book How to Be a Stoic combines personal experiences and clear explanations, demonstrating how Stoicism remains relevant for everyday life.