So you’d like to learn more about Stoicism, but you aren’t sure where to begin? This is a quest that thousands of people have already completed, leaving behind their reviews, dog-eared pages and sales figures for us to follow like breadcrumbs out of the forest. Or, in this case, the over-stuffed philosophy section of your favorite bookstore.
Although Zeno of Citium founded Stoicism in ancient Greece in around 300 B.C.E., it’s as relevant today as it ever was. It’s a powerful lens with which to view the world that asks the Stoic to be their best self at all times—to accept their mortality and the failings of others as they consistently endeavour to maintain their ethics and integrity.
Only fragments of texts by Zeno and his contemporaries survived. But we’re fortunate that writings by other famous Stoics from a few hundred years later still exist, thanks to journal-keeping, an ardent student and a prolific letter-writer.
The following list of the best books on Stoicism includes classics by the primary thinkers, as well as more recent analyses of those ancient writings by authors who are invested in following the philosophy themselves.
The 3 best books on practical stoicism
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
If Stoicism has an equivalent to the importance of the Bible to Christians, it’s arguably this nearly 2,000-year-old collection of notes written by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121 to 180 CE). Although it was never intended for publication, it’s become a de facto guide to Stoicism, and could easily be referred to as the ultimate best book on stoicism that’s available today.
It’s believed that Aurelius wrote between 161 and 180 CE to remind himself of his intentions, ethics and purpose. To steel himself for a job he didn’t want.
Stoics are deeply concerned with cultivating and maintaining ambitious standards of character. Aurelius reflected on what he expected of his future self, using examples from his own life and exercises to challenge himself.
Aurelius wrote with the determination of one who’s struggling to understand himself and his role in life. He was reluctant to become emperor, ruled during a volatile time and endured the brutality of wars and a plague that took millions of lives. He also suffered from chronic physical ailments, which were likely the result of an ulcer arising from worry and stress.
Meditations has been translated from the original Greek many times, beginning around 700 years after Aurelius’ death. How the notebooks survived is a mystery, but the value of their contents has only risen in recent years, along with an increased interest in Stoicism.
Let us say what we feel and feel what we say. Let speech harmonize with life.
Letters From a Stoic by Seneca
Talk about a rough life. Roman statesman Lucius Seneca (4 B.C.E to 65 C.E.) was often ill, evaded two death sentences and lived in exile for eight years due to an alleged affair with then-Emperor Caligula’s sister. After leading a failed coup to oust Emperor Nero, for whom he was an advisor, Seneca was forced to die by suicide.
Today, Seneca the Younger, commonly referred to simply as Seneca, is considered one of the great Stoics. This book is comprised of 124 letters he wrote to advise his friend Lucilius, a government official in Sicily, on how to be a Stoic. Unlike Meditations, which was meant only for the author, Seneca wrote purposefully to guide his young friend through the challenges of life. Like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca’s prose has stood the test of time, thanks to its wisdom and humanity.
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus
Unlike Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, Epictetus (approximately 50 to 135 C.E.) was a philosopher who toured and lectured on Stoicism. In fact, Marcus Aurelius was a fan of Epictetus’ work. Epictetus is credited with developing a full realization of the ancient Stoics’ philosophy, although it’s believed he didn’t write anything down. Credit goes to his student, Arrian, for capturing the great Stoic’s words and creating one of the best books on practical stoicism in history.
Epictetus was born into slavery in Greece and walked with a limp, possibly from abuse by a slave master. He was enthusiastic about philosophy from an early age and taught in Rome for a quarter-century, but he was later banished from the city along with many other philosophers who opposed Emperor Domitian’s rules.
Though he spoke to thousands about Stoicism, Epictetus believed that demonstrating the values of the philosophy was more powerful. His motto might’ve been “do as I do, not just as I say.” This is a core principle of Stoicism, to not interfere with anyone else’s behaviour but to model Stoicism for others who choose to follow.
The best books on modern stoicism
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
It’s not easy to choose just one of Holiday’s many books—he’s one of the most prominent living philosophers whose focus is Stoicism, and he’s produced some of the best books on modern stoicism. He also has a gift for distilling complex thoughts into language that everyone can understand. It’s no wonder his books have sold millions of copies, and this one in particular is one of the best selling books on Stoicism.
The Daily Stoic is a collection of 366 quotes and affirmations based on Stoicism teachings. Many readers have found that viewing one page every morning returns their focus on the intention to exemplify Stoic virtues. This collection is one of the best books on Stoicism for beginners because it’s easier to digest bite-sized pieces of the philosophy instead of attempting a whole meal.
By far the distinguishing feature of Stoicism is its practicality: it began in the guise of, and has always been understood as, a quest for a meaningful and happy life.
How to Be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci
Massimo Pigliucci is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City University of New York. He settled on Stoicism as his personal philosophy after becoming irritated by modern atheists and wanting a framework for his own code of morals and ethics. He has written several books on a variety of topics, and he also blogs, hosts a podcast and contributes to several magazines.
How to Be a Stoic offers a solid foundation on the writings of the Stoics as the author explains how to apply stoic practices to modern life. As such, it’s a quick-study version of the above-mentioned ancient texts for those who’d rather have an expert distill the fine points for them. Like The Daily Stoic, it’s one of the best beginner books on stoicism for those who are new to the philosophy.
Read what speaks to you
Like many things in life, Stoicism is fairly easy to understand but difficult to put into practice. However, this is also why so many of us are drawn to it. It takes a hard line on one’s own behaviour and pushes the stoic to continuously improve their adherence to its principles.
It doesn’t really matter which option you choose from our list of some of the best selling books on Stoicism. Go with what speaks to you, whether it’s an original text from a thought leader of centuries past or the works of a modern Stoic. Stoicism is a philosophy that has stood the test of time because it relates directly to the human condition: past, present and future.
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