Short Works
The Enchiridion and Fragments: a guide to Stoic practice
By Epictetus
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About this edition
Source text: Epictetus, Enchiridion and Fragments. English source: Short Works, George Long translation, Standard Ebooks. https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/epictetus/short-works/george-long
Translation source: epictetus_short-works_george-long.epub. Standard Ebooks; English (en-GB); published 2022-05-26. Sources listed in the EPUB: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0236 and https://archive.org/details/discoursesepicte00epiciala .
Rights: The source EPUB states that its text and artwork are believed to be in the US public domain, and Standard Ebooks contributions are dedicated under CC0 1.0: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ . This records the EPUB rights statement; editorial review remains pending.
Territories: US
Review scope: Not reviewed
Approved on: Oct 21, 2026
Epictetus’s Short Works brings together the Enchiridion and fragmentary teachings on judgment, desire, responsibility, and inner freedom. The English edition uses George Long’s translation.
What belongs to us, and what lies beyond our power? Epictetus returns to this distinction as a starting point for living with clarity and self-command. Short Works collects the Enchiridion, a concise handbook of Stoic teaching, together with the Fragments. Its direct questions and demanding advice ask readers to examine their judgments, desires, habits, and conduct toward others. Philosophy becomes a practice of choosing how to act, not simply an argument to admire. The English text is George Long’s translation in the Standard Ebooks edition. The Vietnamese and Japanese editions are based on that English source and include the handbook’s 53 sections, the Fragments, and 98 notes. This collection is distinct from the full Discourses.
Who it is for
Readers beginning Stoic philosophy; readers of Marcus Aurelius seeking a more direct teaching voice; anyone interested in ethical judgment, self-discipline, and the relationship between freedom and responsibility.
Key ideas
- 01
What is up to us
Distinguish your judgments and choices from external outcomes.
- 02
Examine impressions
Pause before accepting an appearance as the whole truth.
- 03
Train desire
Reconsider what you seek and what you fear.
- 04
Practice philosophy
Let conduct show what you have learned.
- 05
Fulfil responsibilities
Consider how your roles shape your duties to others.
Questions and answers
What does Short Works contain?
The Enchiridion, or handbook, and the Fragments of Epictetus, with notes.
Is this the complete Discourses?
No. It is a separate collection of the handbook and fragmentary teachings.
Which English translation is used?
George Long’s translation, in the digital edition prepared by Standard Ebooks.
What are the Vietnamese and Japanese editions based on?
Both are based on George Long’s English text and include 53 handbook sections and 98 notes.
Ideas and articles about this book
Idea
How can you keep your purpose when plans go wrong?Set two intentions: pursue the practical task and preserve a considered way of acting when obstacles arise.
Idea
How do you turn philosophy into practice?Show what you have learned through your conduct, and use reasoning to support the principles you actually live by.
Idea
What is up to us, according to Epictetus?Our judgments, intentions, and choices are our responsibility; reputation, possessions, and outcomes are not fully ours to command.
Article
Practising Epictetus: A Daily Routine for Choices, Setbacks, and Honest ActionTurn key passages from the Enchiridion into a manageable routine: clarify your choice, prepare for disruption, pause before responding, and review your conduct.
Article
How to Read Epictetus’s Short Works: A Guide to the Enchiridion and FragmentsA practical reading route through the Enchiridion and Fragments, with attention to George Long’s translation, attribution, and the difference between knowing and doing.
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