Epictetus was born into slavery about 55 ce in the eastern outreaches of
the Roman Empire. Once freed, he established an influential 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,
readers learn to meet the challenges of everyday life successfully and
to face life's inevitable losses and disappointments with grace.