Philosophy by the Book

EPICTETUS (ca.50 - ca 120 CE)
The Enchiridion
Translated by Jo. Healey as Epictetus His Manual
London: Th. Thorpe, 1610.

This summary of Epictetus' Stoic philosophy belongs to the ancient tradition according to which philosophy is, above all else, a guide to life. This conception was also widely current among classically educated people in Early Modern Europe. The handy pocket-size format indicates that it is a book to be used, not just set on a shelf.

It is bound with The Table of Cebes, the Theban Philosopher , explicitly a "prescript method for the well-ordering of the life of man", which is a vade mecum to the virtuous life recounted in Pilgrim's Progress style with personified vices etc.