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the best books on stoicism

The Stoicism books most often recommended by the modern Stoics, founders, and athletes who cite the philosophy. Covers the original ancient texts, the modern translations and explainers, and the contemporary applications.

27 books, ranked by how many of the 4,800 notable readers in our index have publicly recommended each one.

  1. Meditations
    43 people

    Meditations

    Marcus Aurelius · 2006

    43 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  2. The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
    19 people

    The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

    Ryan Holiday · 2014

    19 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  3. Ego is the Enemy
    18 people

    Ego is the Enemy

    Ryan Holiday · 2016

    18 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  4. A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
    15 people

    A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

    William B. Irvine · 2009

    15 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  5. On the Shortness of Life
    14 people

    On the Shortness of Life

    Lucius Seneca · 2005

    14 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  6. Stillness Is the Key
    11 people

    Stillness Is the Key

    Ryan Holiday · 2019

    11 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  7. The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
    10 people

    The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

    Ryan Holiday · 2016

    10 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  8. Letters From a Stoic
    9 people

    Letters From a Stoic

    Lucius Annaeus Seneca · 2004

    9 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  9. Meditations on First Philosophy
    5 people

    Meditations on First Philosophy

    René Descartes · 1993

    5 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  10. The Enchiridion
    5 people

    The Enchiridion

    Epictetus · 2017

    5 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  11. Philosophy as a Way of Life
    4 people

    Philosophy as a Way of Life

    Pierre Hadot · 1995

    4 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  12. Discourses on Livy
    3 people

    Discourses on Livy

    Niccolo Machiavelli, trans. Harvey Mansfield and Nathan Tarcov · 1984

    3 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  13. Courage Is Calling
    2 people

    Courage Is Calling

    Ryan Holiday · 2021

    2 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  14. Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control (The Stoic Virtues Series)
    2 people

    Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control (The Stoic Virtues Series)

    Ryan Holiday · 2022

    2 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  15. Discourses
    2 people

    Discourses

    Epictetus · 1800

    2 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  16. How To Be A Stoic: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living
    2 people

    How To Be A Stoic: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living

    Massimo Pigliucci · 2017

    2 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  17. The Inner Citadel
    2 people

    The Inner Citadel

    Pierre Hadot · 1998

    2 recommenders

    AmazonBookshop
  18. A Guide to the Good Life
    1 person

    A Guide to the Good Life

    Sahil Bloom · 2009

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  19. Discourses and Selected Writings
    1 person

    Discourses and Selected Writings

    Epictetus · 2008

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  20. Letters from a Stoic (A Penguin Classics Hardcover)
    1 person

    Letters from a Stoic (A Penguin Classics Hardcover)

    Seneca · 2014

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  21. Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor
    1 person

    Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor

    Donald Robertson · 2024

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  22. Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ
    1 person

    Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ

    John Owen · 1994

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  23. Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts
    1 person

    Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts

    Oliver Burkeman · 2024

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  24. Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much
    1 person

    Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much

    Anne Wilson Schaef · 2004

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  25. The Art of Living
    1 person

    The Art of Living

    Alexander Nehamas · 1998

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  26. The Art of Living and Dying
    1 person

    The Art of Living and Dying

    Osho · 2013

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop
  27. The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User's Manual
    1 person

    The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User's Manual

    Ward Farnsworth · 2018

    1 recommender

    AmazonBookshop

other topic hubs

Methodology: each book is ranked by the number of recommenders in our index who have publicly endorsed it. Curated topics use a hand-picked book list; year-stamped pages query our index by publication year. More on methodology →