Best Books on Stoicism

Home » Blog » Books » Best Books on Stoicism

Best Books on Stoicism

Stoicism is known as a philosophy of personal ethics enforced and backed up with a system of logic and its views on the natural world. According to its teachings, the path to happiness is found in accepting the moment as it presents itself.

So, in simple words, Stoicism has been come to known as the teachings to develop self-control and fortitude as a means to overcome destructive emotions by using the mind to understand the world and to play their part in nature’s plan, along with working together in harmony and treating others fairly and justly.

Now, this is the type of philosophy almost everyone should share to some extent. And in order to do so, we’re making a list of the best books that derivate the right meaning and teachings of Stoicism. The books on this list were comprised solely on the basis of how the author of the book perceives the philosophy and is able to get his perspective across towards Stoicism as well.

Hope you enjoy reading the rest of the article while also gathering some valuable information.

1. The Little Book of Stoicism

The little book of Stoicism addresses the main questions of life like; where can one find joy, where one can gain strength, how to face our fears, deal with the death of a loved one and deal with those reoccurring depressing thoughts.

As traditional school fail to address such questions, it’s exactly what the Stoicism philosophy is all about.  This compelling guide gives out more effective methods of dealing with whatever life throws at you. A perfect mix of timeless wisdom and empowering advice, The Little Book of Stoicism will point the way to anyone who seeks a calm and wise life in a chaotic world.

The Little Book of Stoicism

Easy Spanish Phrase Book

2. The Daily Stoic

History’s greatest minds, George Washington to Frederick the Great to Ralph Waldo Emerson, to today’s top performers from NBA championship-winning coaches to CEOs and celebrities, everyone has embraced the wisdom of the ancient Stoics and rightfully so. The Daily Stoic comes with 366 days of insights and exercises, featuring new translations from Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright Seneca, slave-turned-philosopher Epictetus, as well as lesser-known luminaries like Zeno, Cleanthes, and Musonius Rufus.

Every day of the year holds one of their pithy and powerful quotations, as well as their historical anecdotes, provocative commentary, and a helpful glossary of Greek terms to better understand Stoicism. By following these teachings over the course of a year, you’ll be able to find the serenity, self-knowledge, and resilience you needed to live well.

The Daily Stoic

The Daily Stoic

3. The Practicing Stoic

The Washington Post had this to say about the Practicing Stoic, “This isn’t just a book to read―it’s a book to return to, a book that will provide perspective and consolation at times of heartbreak or calamity.” This book helps you see more clearly, live more wisely, and bear the burdens of this life with greater ease with its preaching and teaching.

The book is presented in twelve lessons, accompanied by commentary that is clear and concise. The book’s chapters include Emotion, Adversity, Virtue, and What Others Think. The most valuable wisdom about living a good life, now made available for our time.

The Practicing Stoic

The Practicing Stoic

4. Lives of the Stoics

The Daily Stoic is an inspiring guide to the lives of Stoicism’s greatest practitioners. An instant New York Times Bestseller and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, this book gives you insight into the minds of the greatest stoicism practitioners the world has seen and how they practice that philosophy. Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman offer a fresh and new approach towards understanding Stoicism through the lives of those great practitioners who practised it – from Cicero to Zeno, Cato to Seneca, Diogenes to Marcus Aurelius.

Including short biographies of all the famous, as well as the lesser-known Stoics, this book will show what it means to live stoically and reveal the lessons to be learned from their struggles and successes.

Lives of the Stoics

Lives of the Stoics

5. Stoicism for Inner Peace

Ancient Stoics were awfully concerned with the virtue of equanimity. So it shouldn’t come off as a surprise that ancient Stoic texts contain invaluable wisdom on how to calm the mind. The collective work by Einzelgänger has really tackled the real challenge, which is to find such wisdom in a way that’s simple and comprehensible in a modern context while still maintaining its profundity. Einzelgänger has been created a collection of essays on applying Stoic philosophy in everyday life.

Two unreleased pieces about ‘loneliness’ and ‘guilt’ have been added to this collection as well. Focusing on inner peace is more relevant in these challenging and unpredictable times. Stoic philosophy can help put things into perspective, let go of past events, worry less about the future, and improve the overall experience of life.

Stoicism for Inner Peace

Stoicism for Inner Peace

6. The Beginner’s Guide to Stoicism

A Stoic embraces positivity and self-control through the ability to accept the uncertainty of outcomes. With this stoicism guide, the beginner will learn how to take charge of their emotions on the path to sustained happiness and satisfaction. This easy-to-navigate guide hands you the emotional tools needed to let go of the things you can’t control and find joy in what you have. Through thought-provoking strategies and exercises, this book helps you find contentment so you can build closer relationships and become an active member of society.

The book includes many new approaches and some old ones like discovering the history of Stoicism, finding acceptance using an essential emotional toolkit, applying what you’ve learned and focused on positivity. Become the best version of yourself with The Beginner’s Guide to Stoicism.

The Beginner's Guide to Stoicism

Stoicism for Inner Peace

7. The Stoic Way of Life

In order to be emotionally resilient and lead a peaceful and fulfilling life, the Stoic philosophy offers a thorough insight into the most realistic and practical philosophies of ancient times. This book will help you discover the importance of emotional resilience, will give you an introduction to the most prominent teachers of Stoicism and their contributions, an origin and a brief history of Stoicism, virtues and core beliefs of Stoicism, and much much more.

Much of this philosophy may prevail against conventional wisdom. But in fact, the repeated data shows that it does indeed work. Even applying one or two practices could result in a huge upscale to the mindset.

The Stoic Way of Life

The Stoic Way of Life

8. The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

It is said that “One of the great fears many of life is that despite all our effort and striving, we will discover at the end that we have wasted our life”. In this book, William B. Irvine shares the wisdom of Stoic philosophy and shows how its insight and advice are still quite applicable to modern lives. The A Guide to the Good Life offers a new outlook towards Stoicism, showing how this years-old philosophy can still impact us towards a better life. Irvine uses the psychological insights and the practical techniques of the Stoics and also offers a roadmap of sorts for anyone seeking to avoid the feelings of chronic dissatisfaction that plague so many of us.

Irvine describes his own personal experiences practising Stoicism and offers valuable first-hand advice for anyone wishing to live better. Readers learn how to minimize worry, let go of the past and focus on the things we can control, how to deal with insults, grief, old age, along with the distracting temptations of fame and fortune.

Finally, the book shows readers how to become thoughtful observers of their own lives. By following the Stoics thought, one can hope to attain a truly joyful life.

The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

9. A Complete Guide to Stoicism

Stoicism is an active philosophy. That means it is not good enough to know the doctrines; one must also live and develop habits that expand on and complete this practice. This book is a general introduction to the philosophy of Stoicism that gives it to you straight when faced with the more complex aspects.

Addressed topics in the book include the history of the ancient Stoics, nature of good and evil, virtue and vice, and positive and negative externals, the difference between things in our control and things that are not, Stoic Logic and practical reasoning, along with Stoicism’s role in the development of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). The book also offers Stoic exercises and daily practices to better understand and implement Stoicism.

A Complete Guide to Stoicism

The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

10. The Daily Stoic Journal

Stoic philosophy has been a secret operating system of many wise leaders, artists, athletes, brilliant thinkers, and ordinary citizens. With their acclaimed, bestselling books, Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman bring you the Stoicism stories of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus to thousands of new readers all over the world.

This book has a gorgeous designed hardcover journal that has space for morning and evening notes, along with advice for integrating Stoicism into 21st-century lives. Each week readers will come across a specific yet powerful Stoic practice, explained and presented with related quotations to inspire and question deeper reflection and application, which will answer a powerful question each day to help gauge their progress.

For anyone seeking inner peace, clarity, and effectiveness, this book will help them immensely for the rest of their lives.

The Daily Stoic Journal

The Daily Stoic Journal

About the author

Indu has been educator since last 10 years. She can find all kind of scholarship opportunities in the USA and beyond. She also teach college courses online to help students become better. She is one of the very rare scholarship administrator and her work is amazing.