Best Books About Stoicism [Top 8] [List] [Must Reads] [2024 Update]

How can you live like a stoic? Here you will find must-reads on Stoicism, other books of Stoic exercises, and more about this powerful attitude to life. Read more…

The top 10 best books about stoicism

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

Our pick for those who are already keen on meditation or people who want to try it for the first time. Not only are these meditations on wisdom and stoicism effective, but there are quite literally more than one per day of the year in this amazing book!

2.The Beginner’s Guide to Stoicism: Tools for Emotional Resilience and Positivity

In our research, this book has been the best choice for those who are being introduced to the concept of stoicism for the very first time. This guide explains everything from the very basics to more complex ideas about positive thinking and resilience. A great read.

3.Meditations: A New Translation

Our pick for meditation lovers and people who want to get into meditation. This guide takes you through some really effective and detailed meditations that are sure to help you build on your mental strength and stoicism for the future.

4.How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

This guide quite literally has everything. It is a mix of Marcus’ life, Roman history, psychological treatment, theory, and brain research. So for those interested in history, the Romans, Marcus Aurelius or stoicism in general, you won’t be able to put this down.

5.A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control―52 Week-by-Week Lessons

Stoicism cannot be learned, practised and perfected overnight. Changing the way in which you think is a long process, and that takes a great teacher. Fortunately, this guide quite literally takes you on a week-by-week journey for an entire year, carving a path to improved stoicism.

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

An all-access history to stoicism, while updating the teachings for a modern audience. This is a refreshing take on the subject and we highly recommend it. Treat this as a roadmap for anyone seeking to avoid disappointment in their life.

7.Choose Your Thoughts: An Introduction To Practical Stoicism: Learn How To Transform Your Self Talk, Develop A Positive Mental Attitude And Master Your Thinking

We think that this is an amazingly thorough book, covering all you need to know about stoicism. Not only does it teach you about the basic concept and principles, but also how to apply that thinking to your real life in search of a more positive attitude. Amazing book!

8.Stillness Is the Key 

This incredible guide teaches you how slowing down can be far more effective than charging ahead. It teaches not only stoicism but also Buddhist philosophy. Our pick for anyone seeking to slow down their life, as well as any practising Buddhists looking to learn about stoicism.

9.Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life 

Our pick for any girls out there looking to improve their confidence and stoicism. This book goes beyond basic principles and learnings, actually giving real-life examples of real-life women who have battled with the same problems before you. An empowering read!

10.STOICISM: Principles For Achieving Balance, Contentment, And Resilience In Everyday Life

According to us, this is one of the best books you can read on stoicism. Not only does it teach you about stoicism, how to practice it and apply it, but it also uniquely links to teaching to human emotions. A must-read to improve resilience, happiness and general balance in your life.

More amazing books about Stoicism

1 – Letters from a Stoic – Epistulae Morales Ad Lucilium

Seneca, like Marcus Aurelius, was a powerful man in Rome. He was also a great writer and, apparently, a trusted friend to many who gave his friends great advice. Much of that advice survived through the ages in the form of letters. Now we can read those letters and they can help us with problems of grief, wealth, poverty, success, failure, education and much more.

Seneca was also a Stoic, but like Marcus Aurelius, he was practical and borrowed a lot from other schools. He said to a friend, “I don’t care if this sentence is right.” That’s the ethos of practical philosophy – it doesn’t matter who or when it comes from, what matters is whether it helps you in your life, if only for a second. Reading Seneca will do that.

“If you really want to get away from the things that are bothering you, it is not necessary to be in a different place, but to be a different person.”

2 – Meditations – Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius is considered the last great representative of the Stoa, a philosophical movement in classical antiquity. Thoughts may be the only document of its kind ever created. They are the private thoughts of the world’s most powerful man advising himself on how to fulfill the responsibilities and obligations of his positions.

Trained in Stoic philosophy, Marcus stops almost every night to do a series of spiritual practices – they are memories to make him humble, patient, patient, empathetic, generous, and strong toward everything he has to deal with.

Now we have this book, which contains his reflections. It is legible and accessible. You cannot read this book without always remembering a phrase or line that will help you the next time you get into trouble.

Read it, it is practical philosophy embodied in practice. Make sure to pick up the Gregory Hays translation. You can find it below.  It is the most accessible release – completely devoid of all “ye” and “shalls”.

“What gets in the way becomes the way.”

3 – Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus

Of the big three (Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus), Epictetus is the most preachy and for many the least enjoyable to read. That doesn’t mean he’s not brilliant. In many pieces he expresses something so clearly and profoundly that it will shake you to the core.

“To make the best of what is in our power, and take the rest as it comes …”

The top 10 best books on Stoicism of all time

Let’s finish with giving you our top picks on this subject. We will present you our top 10 best books about Stoicism of all time. We have updated this ultimate list of our recommendations this year, including all the recent titles.

BOOKS	AUTHOR
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living	Ryan Holiday Stephen Hanselman
The Beginner’s Guide to Stoicism: Tools for Emotional Resilience and Positivity	Matthew Van Natta
Meditations: A New Translation	Marcus Aurelius
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius	Donald J. Robertson
A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control―52 Week-by-Week Lessons	Massimo Pigliucci Gregory Lopez
A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy	William B. Irvine
Choose Your Thoughts: An Introduction To Practical Stoicism: Learn How To Transform Your Self Talk, Develop A Positive Mental Attitude And Master Your Thinking	Nathan C. James
Stillness Is the Key	Ryan Holiday
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life	Ali Wong
STOICISM: Principles For Achieving Balance, Contentment, And Resilience In Everyday Life	Caleb Kruse

On your luck!