One of the most influential Stoic thinkers, Epictetus was born into slavery about 55 ce in the eastern outreaches of the Roman Empire. Once freed, he established a school of Stoic philosophy, stressing that human beings cannot control life, only their responses to it. By putting into practice the ninety-three witty, wise, and razor-sharp instructions that make up The Art of Living, you’ll learn to meet the challenges of everyday life successfully and to face life’s inevitable losses and disappointments with grace.