Epictetus was born a slave in Rome, and by the time of his death had become a free man and one of the most well known Stoic philosophers. Epictetus himself did not write down any of his teachings. The only record we have comes from his student Arrian. He is my favorite of the Stoics because of his simple declarative statements on how one should live a life. The Art of Living, a modern translation of his Enchiridion by Sharon Lebell should be required reading for all young people.
The modern resurgence in Stoic Philosophy, led by Ryan Holiday, Tim Ferris, William Irvine, Sharon Lebell and others, has significantly improved my daily life, encouraging me, among other things, to focus on only that which I can control.
I was inspired to create these stoic portraits for myself as as high quality reminder to live the life that I have decided that I want to live.
“First say to yourself what you would be, then do what you have to do.” Epictetus
“We always have a choice about the content and character of our inner lives.” Epictetus
