Stoic Foundations

Stoicism has long offered a way of thinking and living, and people in very different positions have drawn on it, from rulers and presidents to entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. The most direct route into the philosophy is to read the works of its earliest and most influential thinkers rather than relying on summaries alone.

This volume gathers the writings of three central Stoic authors. Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor, Seneca was a playwright and advisor, and Epictetus was a former slave who became a philosopher and teacher. The book brings their work together and includes Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, selections from Seneca's Letters from a Stoic, and Epictetus's Enchiridion.

These texts were written long ago, yet their clear, practical guidance has continued to reach readers across the centuries and still feels relevant to modern life. A new introduction by Massimo Pigliucci, author of How to Be a Stoic, places the material in context for today's readers. The book suits anyone curious about modern Stoicism who wants to read its leading figures in their own words.