Today's Shelf "What Makes Me Suffer Is Not the Event, But My Thoughts" <Did the Philosopher Ask, "Why Doesn't Life Go as Planned?">

To modern people exhausted by uncertainty and the gaze of others, Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher from Rome 2,000 years ago, offers a clear solution. A new book titled Did the Philosopher Ask, "Why Doesn't Life Go as Planned?" (Bookfarmers), written by Professor Ogino Hiroyuki of the Philosophy Department, Faculty of Literature at Sophia University in Japan, has been published.

The author points out that "what truly troubles me is not the 'event' itself that occurs externally, but 'my thoughts and judgments' that interpret that event painfully." The book reinterprets the sayings of Epictetus—who was born a slave with physical disabilities yet became the teacher of emperors and a master of Stoic philosophy—adapted to the lives of modern people, drawing from his work Enchiridion.

The book unfolds the dialogue between Epictetus and an imaginary slave named "Nius" through 27 relatable comics and in-depth commentary. The core lies in clearly distinguishing between "things I can control through my own power" and "things I cannot control." Others' evaluations and unreasonable circumstances cannot be changed, but one's own attitudes and judgments in response to them can be chosen by oneself.

Beyond simple unconditional positivity, the book guides readers on how to reclaim agency in life by letting go of greed for things beyond control and focusing on the inner aspects that they can manage themselves.

Written by Ogino Hiroyuki | Illustrated by Gaori and Yukari | Translated by Hwang Hyae-sook | Bookfarmers | 256 pages | 17,100 won