
A Guide to the Good Life
The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
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Narrated by:
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James Patrick Cronin
About this listen
One of the great fears many of us face is that despite all our effort and striving, we will discover at the end that we have wasted our life. In A Guide to the Good Life, William B. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of Stoic philosophy, one of the most popular and successful schools of thought in ancient Rome, and shows how its insight and advice are still remarkably applicable to modern lives. In A Guide to the Good Life, Irvine offers a refreshing presentation of Stoicism, showing how this ancient philosophy can still direct us toward a better life.
Using the psychological insights and the practical techniques of the Stoics, Irvine offers a roadmap for anyone seeking to avoid the feelings of chronic dissatisfaction that plague so many of us. Irvine looks at various Stoic techniques for attaining tranquility and shows how to put these techniques to work in our own life. As he does so, he describes his own experiences practicing Stoicism and offers valuable first-hand advice for anyone wishing to live better by following in the footsteps of these ancient philosophers. Listeners learn how to minimize worry, how to let go of the past and focus our efforts on the things we can control, and how to deal with insults, grief, old age, and the distracting temptations of fame and fortune. We learn from Marcus Aurelius the importance of prizing only things of true value, and from Epictetus we learn how to be more content with what we have.
Finally, A Guide to the Good Life shows listeners how to become thoughtful observers of their own lives. If we watch ourselves as we go about our daily business and later reflect on what we saw, we can better identify the sources of distress and eventually avoid that pain in our life. By doing this, the Stoics thought, we can hope to attain a truly joyful life.
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Story
In Breakfast with Seneca, philosopher David Fideler mines Seneca's classic works in a series of focused chapters, clearly explaining Seneca's ideas without oversimplifying them. Best enjoyed as a daily ritual, like an energizing cup of coffee, Seneca's wisdom provides us with a steady stream of time-tested advice about the human condition - which, as it turns out, hasn't changed much over the past 2,000 years.
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A Philosophical Breakfast
- By Ronald William C. Brady Jr. on 03-16-22
By: David Fideler
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The Beginner's Guide to Stoicism
- Tools for Emotional Resilience & Positivity
- By: Matthew J. Van Natta
- Narrated by: Steve Rimpici
- Length: 3 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Being a stoic means embracing positivity and self-control through the ability to accept the uncertainty of outcomes. With this stoicism guide, the beginner stoic will learn how to take charge of their emotions on the path to sustained happiness and satisfaction. This easy-to-navigate stoicism guide gives you the emotional tools needed to let go of the things you can’t control and find joy in what you have.
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fast start into pure self-therapy
- By RANDALL S WALKER on 04-28-21
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The Art of Living
- The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness
- By: Epictetus, Sharon Lebell - translator
- Narrated by: Richard Bolles
- Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
- Abridged
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Epictetus, one of the greatest of the ancient thinkers, believed that the primary mission of philosophy is to help ordinary people meet the challenges of daily life and deal with losses, disappointments, and grief. His prescription for the good life: master desires, perform one's duties, and learn to think clearly about oneself and the larger community. This recording includes an interview with philosopher Jacob Needleman on the significance of Epictetus' work.
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Atrocious reading of a vapid mistranslation
- By Joseph M. on 06-25-09
By: Epictetus, and others
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How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
- The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
- By: Donald J. Robertson
- Narrated by: Donald J. Robertson
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the final famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives to this day as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves stories of Marcus’s life from the Roman histories together with explanations of Stoicism—its philosophy and its psychology—to enlighten today’s listeners. He discusses Stoic techniques for coping with everyday problems, from irrational fears and bad habits to anger, pain, and illness.
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Marvelous mix of a biography with stoicism and CBT
- By Eduard Ezeanu on 04-12-19
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A Handbook for New Stoics
- How to Thrive in a World out of Your Control; 52 Week-by-Week Lessons
- By: Massimo Pigliucci, Gregory Lopez
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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An ancient belief system made new, Stoicism teaches us how to accept the things we cannot change and how to live a good life. It helps us improve our outlook, increase our well-being, and thrive in the face of adversity. But how does one live like a Stoic? In A Handbook for New Stoics, renowned philosopher Massimo Pigliucci and practitioner Gregory Lopez guide listeners through 52 weekly lessons, each based on a common obstacle. Stressing out about a meeting at work? Try listing the things you can control and those you can’t. Plus much more!
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Great Listen so far and love the content BUT...
- By MTAL on 12-31-19
By: Massimo Pigliucci, and others
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He Wins, She Wins
- Learning the Art of Marital Negotiation
- By: Dr. Willard F. Harley Jr.
- Narrated by: Dr. Willard F. Harley Jr.
- Length: 4 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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In He Wins, She Wins, Dr. Harley introduces the revolutionary concept of joint agreement in marriage that keeps both husband and wife on equal footing and equally satisfied. This win-win model for negotiation starts with a simple rule: Never do anything without enthusiastic agreement between you and your spouse.
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Wonderful
- By Deysea Danu, Author on 09-19-23
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Why It's OK to Talk About Trauma
- How to Make Sense of the Past and Grow Through the Pain
- By: Charlie Webster
- Narrated by: Charlie Webster
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Why It's OK to Talk About Trauma is the book your brain, body and future self need to listen to. 1 in 2 people experience trauma at some point in their lives. Trauma can be a result of anything which causes fear, helplessness and horror. Broadcaster and abuse survivor Charlie Webster uses her own lived experience alongside advice from experts to create a companion for trauma survivors – a book that will help, explain, understand and navigate the impact of trauma on our lives.
By: Charlie Webster
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Letters from a Stoic
- Penguin Classics
- By: Seneca, Robin Campbell
- Narrated by: Julian Glover
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Seeing self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', the Stoic philosophy called for the restraint of animal instincts and the importance of upright ethical ideals and virtuous living. Seneca's writings are a profound, powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.
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Returned - Not "Unabridged"
- By Michael Augustus Ennis on 12-03-21
By: Seneca, and others
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You Were Not Born to Suffer
- Overcome Fear, Insecurity and Depression and Love Yourself Back to Happiness, Confidence and Peace
- By: Blake Bauer
- Narrated by: Blake Bauer
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Discover why all suffering, illness, and unhappiness are cries from your soul asking you to fulfill your life's purpose, realize your greatest potential, and ultimately love, honor, and value yourself in every moment, situation, and relationship.
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Life changing
- By Empathy on 06-30-18
By: Blake Bauer
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The Wisdom of Morrie
- Living and Aging Creatively and Joyfully
- By: Morrie Schwartz, Rob Schwartz - editor
- Narrated by: Rob Schwartz, Steven Weber
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Morrie Schwartz, the beloved subject of the classic, multimillion-copy number one bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie, explores these questions and many more in this profound, poetic, and poignant masterpiece of living and aging joyfully and creatively. Later life can be filled with many challenges, but it can also be one of the most beautiful and rewarding passages in anyone’s lifetime. Morrie draws on his experiences as a social psychologist, teacher, father, friend, and sage to offer us a road map to navigate our futures.
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Genuine Advice for all us as we age
- By Richard on 05-16-24
By: Morrie Schwartz, and others
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Success Habits
- Proven Principles for Greater Wealth, Health, and Happiness
- By: Napoleon Hill
- Narrated by: Peter Ganim
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich, has been immortalized for his contributions to the self-help genre. In this never-before-published work, Hill shares his principles of success and key habits that provide the basis for life-changing success. Success Habits explains the fundamental rules that lead to a prosperous life. Hill’s principles offer a new way of thinking about intention, self-discipline, and the way we lead our lives. Originally a series of radio talks delivered in Paris, Missouri, Success Habits is filled with anecdotes and stories....
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Wow!
- By tony gagliardotto on 01-27-19
By: Napoleon Hill
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How to Win Every Argument (2nd Edition)
- The Use and Abuse of Logic
- By: Dr Madsen Pirie
- Narrated by: Chris Courtenay
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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In the second edition of this witty and infectious book, Madsen Pirie builds upon his guide to using - and indeed abusing - logic in order to win arguments. By including new chapters on how to win arguments in writing, in the pub, with a friend, on Facebook and in 140 characters (on Twitter), Pirie provides the complete guide to triumphing in altercations ranging from the everyday to the downright serious.
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Comments from a reader
- By Kindle Customer on 04-16-24
By: Dr Madsen Pirie
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Philosophy For Life
- And Other Dangerous Situations
- By: Jules Evans
- Narrated by: John Voce
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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This audiobook is an invitation to a dream school with a faculty that includes 12 of the greatest philosophers from the ancient world, sharing their lessons in happiness, resilience and much more. Discover how soldiers, psychologists, gangsters, astronauts, anarchists and others use these ideas today. Lively and powerful, this is philosophy for the street, for the workplace, for the battlefield, for love, for life.
By: Jules Evans
What listeners say about A Guide to the Good Life
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- David J. Howse
- 04-18-16
Great book
We would all do well to adopt some if not all of these principles in our lives.
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- Introduct
- 11-02-18
Good overview, but read the original Stoic writings too
This book starts with a brief history of the Stoic philosophers followed by a summary of Stoic beliefs. Then the bulk of the book focuses on how the author uses the Stoic guidelines and suggestions for how we can also apply them to better our lives. It reads like a self help book, but the ideas are helpful. The one thing I would stress is that the original Stoic writings are pretty clear, approachable and accessible so I recommend reading those first and then revisit this book later if you have further interest as a way to organize the exercises.
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- Tintin
- 10-18-21
Updates a Practical Life Philosophy
I consider rhis a masterful explanation of Modern Stoicism, which is very different from lower case stoicism and also from Traditional Stoiciam which incorporated -- some say relied on-- belief in providence,, god , a purpose or plan to nature. Irvine explains how the key tenants of this philosophy can thrive in a world' view that recognizes evolution, in modern social structures. He is clear about this shift, what it sacrifices and preserves, and how the philosophy might even extend a bit to become even more practical today for those pursuing goodness and seeking tranquility.
I've listened through several times, bought and read the book, and after reading many others as well ai recommend this first for anyone curious about this powerful life path. He is clear, organized, and concise and the narration is great. It's a personal favorite.
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- Derrick Green
- 12-09-18
If you want your life transformed, listen.
Informative, straight to the point. This book contains techniques and advice for becoming a stoic.
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- ahmad Al
- 08-13-18
A great analysis and summery
This is a great analysis + summery of the concepts taught by stoics.
Easy to read. Practical and answers many question one might have in mind about the good life.
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- Joe Silva
- 06-01-16
A quick read and well worth it!
Without realizing it, I had already been incorporating some of the ideas of stoicism in this book. I am a musician in my fifties living on limited income and I expect that this book will be a great reference for me in the future. Well narrated and full of great insights that I am looking forward to applying in my life.
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- Rod YellowBird
- 08-05-21
A different kind of thinking
having a philosophy for your life and one that fits can really make a difference of how you're rewarded
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- Ed St George
- 04-05-21
Take notes as you listen
Overall Irving did an admirable job in expressing his own and other Stoics continual challenges of obtaining contentment and joy.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-22-21
Philosophy of life
Loved the book, I was already reading another book which was more like introduction to stoicism when I started listening to meditations by the other on the *waking up * app and was surprised that it's about what I was reading, so I started reading his book and it's worth reading even if you know what's stoicism is, because every writer has his own input and understanding of the philosophy
I like how he addresses the modern life and society, and the easy way of him explaining how he understands stoicicm and why it worked for him, worth reading, the narrator did a good job too, the other doesn't have the right voice to do it to be honest, him being a stoic will not mind me saying that 😉
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- Joseph Kara
- 09-16-21
learned a lot!
loved it! helped me a lot in understanding Stoicism. going to listen to it again.
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