5 little-known stoic books you should read
Stoicism is a philosophy of life that teaches us how to live well in a chaotic and unpredictable world. It helps us cultivate virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and self-control, and deal with challenges such as pain, loss, anger, and fear.
Most people are familiar with the classical Stoic texts of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, but there are many other books that can greatly enrich our understanding and practice of Stoicism.
In this blog post, we recommend five lesser-known Stoic books that you should read if you want to further your knowledge of this philosphical school.
- The inner castle from Peirre Hadot
- The practicing stoic by Ward Farnsworth
- How to Be a Stoic from Massimo Pigliucci
- How to Be a Stoic by Sharon Lebell
- A guide to the good life by William B. Irvine
If you are looking for books on the stoizumus that are particularly suitable for beginners, you can find the corresponding article:
The 7 Best Books for Stoicism Beginners
1. The inner castle from Pierre Hadot
Note: We could currently only find the book in English (title: The Inner Citadel), not in German.
This book is a comprehensive and insightful study of the Meditations of the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius. Hadot shows that the Meditations are not merely a collection of personal reflections, but a systematic guide to living according to the Stoic principles of reason, nature, and virtue.
He explains how Marcus Aurelius used the Stoic exercises of attention, self-examination, meditation, contemplation, and action to build his inner citadel of strength and resilience. This book will help you realize the depth and importance of the meditations for your own life.
This book is especially recommended for anyone who wants to want to deepen their understanding of Marcus Aurelius and his Stoic teachings.
Here are the chapters for you
Preface
Note on Transliteration and Quotation
Translator's Note
1 THE EMPEROR-PHILOSOPHER
2 A FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE MEDITATIONS
3 THE MEDITATIONS AS SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
4 THE PHILOSOPHER-SLAVE AND THE EMPEROR-PHILOSOPHER
5 THE STOICISM OF EPICTETUS
6 THE INNER CITADEL, OR THE DISCIPLINE OF AsSENT
7 THE DISCIPLINE OF DESIRE, OR AMOR FATI
8 THE DISCIPLINE OF ACTION, OR ACTION IN THE SERVICE OF MANKIND
9 VIRTUE AND JOY
10 MARCUS AURELIUS IN HIS MEDITATIONS
Conclusion
Abbreviations
Notes
Index
2. The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical Handbook for the Mind by Ward Farnsworth
This book is a modern and accessible introduction to the core ideas and practices of Stoicism. Farnsworth organizes the book into 12 chapters, each dealing with a central theme such as happiness, desire, emotions, death, duty, and freedom.
He draws on the writings of various Stoic authors as well as other philosophers and thinkers to illustrate and explain Stoic teachings. He also gives practical advice and examples of how to apply Stoicism to everyday situations and challenges. This book will help you learn the basics of Stoicism and practice it in your own life.
This book is especially recommended for anyone who wants to Want to know the basics of Stoicism and how to apply it to their lives.
Here are the chapters for you
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: Judgment
Chapter 2: Outside Things
Chapter3: Perspective
Chapter 4: Death
Chapter 5: Desire
Chapter 6: Wealth and pleasure
Chapter 7: The opinion of others
Chapter 8: Evaluation
Chapter 9: Emotion
Chapter 10: Adversity
Chapter 11: Virtue
Chapter 12: Learning
Chapter 13: Stoicism and its Critics
3. How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life from Massimo Pigliucci
Note: We could only find the book in English, not in German.
This book is a personal and compelling account of how the author, a philosopher and scientist, discovered and adopted Stoicism as his philosophy of life. Pigliucci tells how he explored and tried out Stoicism through the four cardinal virtues-practical wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
It also introduces the reader to some of the key Stoic concepts and techniques, such as the dichotomy of control, the view from above, the trichotomy of consent, and the discipline of desire. This book will help you see how Stoicism can be relevant and useful to your own life.
This book is especially recommended for anyone who wants to want to see how Stoicism can be relevant and useful for today's questions and problems.
Here are the chapters for you
Chapter 1: The Unstraightforward Path
Chapter 2: A Road Map for the Journey
PART I. THE DISCIPLINE OF DESIRE: WHAT IT IS PROPER TO WANT OR NOT TO WANT
Chapter 3: Some Things Are in Our Power, Others Are Not
Chapter 4: Living According to Nature
Chapter 5: Playing Ball with Socrates
Chapter 6: God or Atoms?
PART II. THE DISCIPLINE OF ACTION: HOW TO BEHAVE IN THE WORLD
Chapter 7: It's All About Character (and Virtue)
Chapter 8: A Very Crucial Word
Chapter 9: The Role of Role Models
Chapter 10: Disability and Mental Illness
PART III. THE DISCIPLINE OF ASSENT: HOW TO REACT TO SITUATIONS
Chapter 11: On Death and Suicide
Chapter 12: How to Deal with Anger, Anxiety, and Loneliness
Chapter 13: Love and Friendship
Chapter 14: Practical Spiritual Exercises
Appendix: The Hellenistic Schools of Practical Philosophy
Acknowledgments
Discover More
About the Author
Also by Massimo Pigliucci
Praise for How to Be a Stoic
Notes
Index
4. How to Be a Stoic: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness by Sharon Lebell
Note: We could only find the book in English, not in German.
This book is a modern and poetic interpretation of Epictetus' Enchiridion, one of the most influential Stoic texts. Lebell translates and adapts the original teachings into short and simple passages that capture the essence and spirit of Stoicism.
She also adds her own comments and insights on how to apply Stoic wisdom to modern life. This book will help you enjoy and appreciate the beauty and power of the Enchiridion.
This book is especially recommended for anyone who wants to want to read a fresh and inspiring version of Epictetus' wisdom.
Here are the chapters for you
Dedication
Prologue
The Spirit of Epictetus
A Manual for Living
Invitation to the Manual
Essential Teachings on Virtue, Happiness, and Tranquility
Why Be Good?
Epi Who?
How a 2000-Year-Old Dead White Male Changed MyLife
Why Would Anyone Want to Be a Stoic?
About the Editor
About the Author
Copyrigbt
About the Publisher
5. A Guide to the Good Life: How to Use the Ancient Art of Stoicism for Your Life by William B. Irvine
This book is a practical and compelling guide on how to live a good life according to Stoicism. Irvine argues that the main goal of Stoicism is to achieve serenity, a state of calm and contentment with one's life. He explains how stoicism can help us achieve serenity by teaching us to control our desires, feelings, and actions. He also introduces some of the most effective stoic techniques, such as negative visualization, self-denial, voluntary discomfort, and fatalism. This book will help you understand and adopt the Stoic way of life.
This book is especially recommended for anyone who wants to want to find out how Stoicism can help them achieve happiness and satisfaction in life.
Here are the chapters for you
Part 1 THE Emergence oF SToICISM
Chapter 1 A philosophy interested in the practical aspects of life
Chapter 2 The first Stoics
Chapter 3 Roman Stoicism
Part 2 THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES OF THE STOIKERS
Chapter 4
Negative visualization
What is the worst that can happen?
Chapter 5
Dichotomy of control
Become invincible
Chapter 6
Fatalism
Leaving the past behind ... and the present
Chapter 7
Waiver
About the dark side of pleasure and how to deal with it
Chapter 8
Meditation
Observing oneself in stoic practice
Part 3 STOIC ADVICE
Chapter 9
Duty
From the love for people
Chapter 10
Social relations
From dealing with other people
Chapter 11
Insults
Dealing with disparagement
Chapter 12
Mourning
Of overcoming tears by means of reason
Chapter 13
Anger
From overcoming anger
Chapter 14
Personal values
From the pursuit of fame
Chapter 15
Personal values
From dealing with luxury
Chapter 16
Exile
From the survival of a banishment
Chapter 17
The age
From banishment to a nursing home
Chapter 18
Dying
Of the good end of a good life
Chapter 19
How to become a stoic
Start simple and arm yourself against ridicule
Part 4 THE STOICISM AND MODERN LIVING DEvICES
Chapter 20
The decline of stoicism
Chapter 21
Stoicism rethought
Chapter 22
Applied Stoicism
A stoic reading program
Notes
Bibliography
These are just five of the many books that can enrich your study and practice of Stoicism. We hope you find them useful and inspiring. Remember that it is not enough to read them; you must put Stoic teachings into practice in your daily life. As Epictetus said:
"Don't just say you've read books. Show that through them you've learned to think better, to be a more critical and reflective person."
Epictetus
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