A Better Life

Philosophy began as a way of life, not a subject. These books were written to change how their readers live: what to care about, what to let go, how to face loss and how to use time. Start with the shortest and most direct, Epictetus, and end with Montaigne, who tried all of it on himself.

1. 1
   HandbookEpictetus · 30 min · ▶ ListenStart here: the sharpest short guide ever written to what is and isn't up to you.
2. 2
   On the Shortness of LifeSeneca · 40 min · ▶ ListenSeneca on time: life is long enough if you know how to use it.
3. 3
   MeditationsMarcus Aurelius · 3 hrs · ▶ ListenAn emperor's private notebook, practicing the same ideas under real pressure.
4. 4
   Letters and Principal DoctrinesEpicurus · 1 hr · ▶ ListenThe rival school: pleasure rightly understood, and why death is nothing to us.
5. 5
   DhammapadaBuddhist scripture · 50 min · ▶ ListenThe same questions from the Buddha's tradition, in short verses.
6. 6
   The Consolation of PhilosophyBoethius · 3 hrs · ▶ ListenPhilosophy as consolation, written in prison awaiting execution.
7. 7
   Of ExperienceMichel de Montaigne · from Essays · 1.5 hrs · ▶ ListenMontaigne's last essay: experience, the body, and the art of enjoying ordinary life.