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Discourses of Epictetus, The by EPICTETUS; LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB; ERNI, Hans, illustrator; MATHESON, P.E., translator

by EPICTETUS; LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB; ERNI, Hans, illustrator; MATHESON, P.E., translator

Discourses of Epictetus, The by EPICTETUS; LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB; ERNI, Hans, illustrator; MATHESON, P.E., translator

Discourses of Epictetus, The

by EPICTETUS; LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB; ERNI, Hans, illustrator; MATHESON, P.E., translator

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  • Signed
Berne: Printed for the members of The Limited Editions Club, 1966. It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters"
"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak" (Epictetus)

EPICTETUS. The Discourses of Epictetus [and The Manual, or Enchiridion] Translated by P.E. Matheson. Illustrated by Hans Erni. Berne: Printed for the members of The Limited Editions Club, 1966.

Limited to 1,500 copies signed by Hans Erni, this being no. 1397.

Folio (11 3/8 x 7 7/8 inches; 288 x 199 mm.). 344 pp. Frontispiece and five double-page color plates by Hans Erni.

Publisher's full black buckram, front cover pictorially stamped in gilt, spine decoratively stamped in blind, green leather label lettered in gilt, yellow end-papers, all edges stained yellow. A fine copy housed in the publisher's yellow cardboard slip-case with green label lettered in gilt on spine.

Epictetus (ca. AD 55-135) was a Greek speaking Stoic philosopher. He was born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey), and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in north-western Greece for the rest of his life. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses. Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control; we should accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. However, individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline.

The Discourses of Epictetus are a series of extracts of the teachings of Epictetus written down by Arrian ca. 108 AD.

The Enchiridion or Manual of Epictetus (enchiridion is Greek for "that which is held in the hand") is a short manual of Stoic ethical advice also compiled by his pupil Arrian. Although the content is similar to the Discourses of Epictetus, it is not a summary of the Discourses but rather a compilation of practical precepts. Eschewing metaphysics, Arrian focused his attention on Epictetus's work applying philosophy in daily life. The primary theme is that one should accept what happens.

Hans Erni (1909-2015) was a Swiss graphic designer, painter, illustrator, engraver and sculptor. Born in Lucerne, he studied art in France and Berlin, and admired artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. He is known for having illustrated postage stamps, his lithographs for the Swiss Red Cross, his participation on the Olympic Committee as well as his activism. The Hans Erni Museum, situated in the grounds of the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, contains a large collection of artwork, he also designed ceramics and theater costumes and sets. He did the art for Swiss bank notes, in the 1940s but, after the notes were already printed they were never published, because a member of the State Council of Lucerne criticized that Erni was deemed as a communist. However, Erni was never member of any political party. In 2004, he was awarded the honorary citizenship of the city of Lucerne. On 10 January 2009 he received the SwissAward for lifetime accomplishment. In his career, he realized about 300 posters and several murals (for the Red Cross, the IOC, the United Nations, ICAO, and many public and private enterprises). He illustrated about 200 books and created 90 Postage stamps and 25 medals.

Limited Editions Club Bibliography, 379.
  • Bookseller David Brass Rare Books, Inc. US (US)
  • Book Condition Used
  • Quantity Available 1
  • Publisher Berne: Printed for the members of The Limited Editions Club, 1966
  • Keywords LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB ERNI, Hans, illustrator MATHESON, P.E., translator