Freedom is secured not by the fulfilling of men's desires, but by the removal of desire - Epictetus

• The quality of your reasoning determines the quality of your life.
• To live well, it’s also important to understand what’s in your control and what isn’t.
• Along with your thoughts and beliefs, you also control your own actions.
• Nothing outside of yourself can harm you or upset you - rather, the way you interpret and respond to things is what harms you.
• Without life’s challenges, we wouldn’t feel the need to grow and evolve.
• Make the best use of what is in our power, and treat the rest in accordance with its nature. And what is its nature? However God decides.
• Man, the rational animal, can put up with anything except what seems to him irrational; whatever is rational is tolerable.
• Be confident in everything outside the will, and cautious in everything under the will’s control.
• Freedom is not achieved by satisfying desire, but by eliminating it. Assure yourself of this by expending as much effort on these new ambitions as you did on those illusive goals: work day and night to attain a liberated frame of mind.
• It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgements concerning them.

• Never identify yourself as a philosopher or speak much to non-philosophers about your principles; act in line with those principles. At a dinner party, for instance, don’t tell people the right way to eat, just eat the right way.
• If a man objects to truths that are all too evident, it is no easy task finding arguments that will change his mind. This is proof neither of his own strength nor of his teacher’s weakness. When someone caught in an argument hardens to stone, there is just no more reasoning with them.
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            "Epictetus "Discourses" is like a collection of interesting talks he had with his students. He talks about a way of thinking called Stoicism, which helps you deal with life. He discusses things like being happy, staying content, facing tough times, and understanding your feelings. I suggest reading this book multiple times to really get the important ideas it shares. If you understand and use the Stoicism tips from the book, you'll be better prepared to handle whatever life throws at you.

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Reasons to read it:

• The book contains valuable insights and practical advice on how to navigate life's challenges, making it relevant across different eras.
• "Discourses" offers guidance on developing virtues, self-discipline, and resilience, which can contribute to your personal growth and well-being.
• Epictetus' teachings can help you develop a more resilient mindset, enabling you to better cope with setbacks and difficulties.
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Reasons to skip it:

• If you're not interested in philosophy or self-help literature, the content might not resonate with your reading preferences.