Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
"As befits a good Stoic, Farnsworth's expository prose exhibits both clarity and an unflappable calm... Throughout The Practicing Stoic, Farnsworth beautifully integrates his own observations with scores of quotations from Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Montaigne and others. As a result, this isn't just a book to read--it's a book to return to, a book that will provide perspective and consolation at times of heartbreak or calamity." --The Washington Post
The most helpful and practical philosophy ever devised. The advice the Stoics provided centuries ago is still the best anyone has offered and it's as useful today as it was then--or more. Stoicism means knowing the difference between what we can control and what we can't, and not worrying about the latter. The Stoics were masters of perspective, always taking the long view while remembering that life is short. And they were deep and insightful students of human nature, understanding how we manage to make ourselves miserable as well as how we seek and can find fulfillment.
The great insights of the Stoics are spread over a wide range of ancient sources. Ward Farnsworth brings them all together and systematically presents what the various Stoic philosophers said on every important topic, accompanied by an eloquent commentary that is clear and concise. The result is a set of philosophy lessons for everyone--the most valuable wisdom of ages past made available for our times.
Synopsis
"Farnsworth beautifully integrates his own observations with scores of quotations from Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Montaigne and others. As a result, this isn't just a book to read--it's a book to return to, a book that will provide perspective and consolation at times of heartbreak or calamity."--The Washington Post
See more clearly, live more wisely, and bear the burdens of this life with greater ease--the greatest insights of the Stoics are brilliantly brought together in this compendium of quotations. Ward Farnsworth systematically presents what Stoic philosophers said on every important topic, accompanied by an eloquent commentary that is clear and concise.
Through thirteen chapters--including Emotion, Adversity, Virtue, and What Others Think--Farnsworth assembles easily accessible and deeply enjoyable philosophy and psychology lessons for everyone, the most valuable wisdom about living a good life from ages past and now made available for our time.