Which Translations Of The Handbook Of Epictetus Are Best?

I don’t treat translations like crystal truth — they’re all interpretations with different personalities. For someone new to Epictetus, pick a clear modern translation or a Penguin edition for readability, then complement it with Sharon Lebell’s 'The Art of Living' for a practical spin. If you’re studying or want to argue about a line, grab a Loeb edition or an academically annotated version so you can compare the Greek. George Long’s public-domain text is great for quick searches and free access, while A. A. Long’s scholarly work gives background and nuance. My habit: underline the same line in two versions and write a one-sentence note — it sharpens how the philosophy lands on me.

When I dive into the little, fierce Aphorisms of Epictetus, I chase translations the way I chase limited-edition manga prints — for the voice. For someone who wants the classical, slightly old-fashioned cadences, Elizabeth Carter’s rendering of 'Enchiridion' has this 18th-century polish that feels like reading a letter from a disciplined friend; it’s poetic and moralizing in a comforting way. For a clear, modern read that keeps philosophical precision without becoming academic sludge, the Penguin edition (look for their 'Enchiridion' included with Epictetus collections) is smooth, contemporary, and feels like a guidebook you can actually follow on a bad commute.

If you want to study the hell out of the text, get a Loeb Classical Library volume or an edition with scholarly notes and the Greek on the facing page — being able to peek at the original is addicting and reveals choices translators make. A. A. Long’s commentaries and editions (notably his work on Epictetus and Stoicism) are invaluable for context and for debates about interpretation. And if you want something to pin to your wall or send to a friend who needs help getting through a breakup, Sharon Lebell’s 'The Art of Living' is a modern rephrasing that sacrifices literal fidelity for daily practice and inspiration.

My personal combo is a public-domain translation like George Long for quick reference, A. A. Long for study, and Lebell for daily pep talks. Flip between them — the variations will teach you more about Epictetus than any single version could, and that little ritual of comparing lines has become one of my favorite reading habits.

I tend to pick different translations depending on my mood. On a sleepy Sunday I take the smoother, contemporary versions because they read like life advice rather than ancient lectures; these editions often come in Penguin or similar modern publishers and make the stoic maxims pop. When I’m preparing for a paper or a long conversation, I grab a Loeb Classical Library copy so I can see the Greek and the English side by side — the marginal notes are a goldmine for catching subtle shifts in meaning.

If you want a friendly, practical approach to Epictetus, Sharon Lebell’s 'The Art of Living' is brilliant even though it isn’t a literal translation — it reframes the teachings for now. For free and fast access, George Long’s public-domain translation is reliable and easy to find online; it’s slightly Victorian but serviceable. For depth, editions and commentaries by A. A. Long give historical and philosophical context that changes how you read each short rule. My tip: read two translations of the same passage back-to-back — it’s like watching a scene in an anime with two different dubs and suddenly noticing a line you’d missed.

I’m the picky type who likes to cross-check everything, so I mix and match translations of 'Enchiridion' depending on whether I’m practicing, teaching, or just trying to feel less dramatic about life. For teaching or scholarly curiosity, the Loeb Classical Library edition is indispensable because it gives the Greek text opposite the English; you don’t need to be fluent in ancient Greek to appreciate how a single word choice can shift emphasis. George Long’s translation is convenient and widespread — it’s old but readable and gratis online, which is perfect for quick quotes.

For the modern reader who wants direction and tone rather than philological accuracy, I keep a copy of Sharon Lebell’s 'The Art of Living' on my bedside table; it’s more paraphrase than literal translation, but it turns Epictetus into actionable, almost friendly coaching. When I want critical apparatus and scholarly framing, A. A. Long’s editions and essays help unpack the cultural and Stoic background. Honestly, sampling two or three versions is the best way to internalize the teaching: one will explain, another will inspire, and a third will nag you into actually doing the practice.