The Stoic Simple Blog

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Stoic philosophy is an elegant, versatile school of thought that can’t be summed up with just a few words. But if someone asked you “what is Stoicism?” and you were forced to describe it in one simple sentence, what would you write? We asked some well-known Stoic thinkers, and here’s what they said.

How Would You Define Stoicism in One Sentence?

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William B. Irvine

Author, Professor of Philosophy

“Stoicism teaches you to do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.”

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Massimo Pigliucci

Author, Professor of Philosophy

“Stoicism is a philosophy of life that teaches us to cultivate wisdom, courage, justice, temperance, and the idea that humanity is one big family that we should support.”

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Donald J. Robertson

Author, Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist

“It’s a philosophy of life that entails living consistently in accord with the value of cultivating moral wisdom, and exercising self-discipline and courage in the service of this goal.”

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Nancy Sherman

Author, Professor of Philosophy

“The Stoics are practical philosophers who want to arm us, through a kind of emotional training, against the slings and arrows of fortune, but they insist that we lose our humanity if we try to become invulnerable.”

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Tanner Campbell

Host of the Practical Stoicism Podcast

“Stoicism is a philosophical and ethical framework which enables individuals practicing it to develop virtuous characters and thus achieve a flourishing life.”

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Cristina DiGiacomo

Author, Chief Philosophy Officer

“Stoicism is a way of engaging with the world without your mind getting in the way.”

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David Fideler

Author, Speaker

“Consistently applied, human excellence or virtue overcomes the vagaries of chance or Fortune.”

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Sharon Lebell

Author, Speaker

“Do what works. Quit doing what doesn’t.”

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Phil Van Treuren

Author, Entrepreneur

“Stoicism is focusing on things that are in your control, overcoming negative emotions, living in the present moment, helping others for the common good, and finding opportunity in every obstacle.”

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Chuck Chakrapani

Educator, Author

“Never concern yourself with what is not under your control, but act on what is with wisdom, justice, courage and moderation.”

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Michael McGill

Author, “The Stoic CIO”

“Stoicism acts as my operating system for life by optimizing my thinking to help me be more accepting, objective, and unselfish.”

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Ronald Pies

Physician, Poet, Author

“Stoicism teaches us to cultivate moderation, self-mastery, and virtuous behavior, while focusing our energy only on things over which we have some control.”

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Brad Inwood

Author, Professor of Philosophy

Stoicism provides a “grand, integrative vision of a good human life, guided by the relentless and unsentimental use of reason in a quest for the best available understanding of the orderly world around us”. P. 109 of Stoicism: A Very Short Introduction – Brad Inwood – Oxford University Press (oup.com)

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Jules Evans

Writer, Speaker, Practical Philosopher

“My sentence doesn’t sum Stoicism up but it’s the most useful part of it for newbies: ‘it’s not events but our opinion about events that cause us suffering’ (Epictetus).”

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Jon Brooks

Writer, Martial Artist, Meditation Teacher

“Stoic philosophy is a school of ancient Greek philosophy that emphasizes the development of self-control, emotional resilience, and personal ethics in the face of adversity.”

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Bob Cymber

Stoic Coach

“An ancient philosophy that includes a catalogue of mental tools and insights to help people live a healthy and fulfilling life.”

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Enda Harte

Writer, Music Manager

“Stoicism is a guidance system for living, that when learned and applied correctly can help you achieve real tranquility and contentment.”

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Brittany Polat

Author, Speaker

“Stoicism helps us live a good, happy, and meaningful life by focusing on the most important things (our character and connections with other people) and not worrying about the less important things.”

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Antonia Macaro

Author, Psychotherapist

“To live according to reason is the only real good.”

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Patrick Ussher

Author, Composer

“Stoicism is about fundamentally reordering your values system so that you prioritise first and foremost the kind of person that you are and, more specifically, that you prioritise being a person who prizes cultivating the various ethical qualities (e.g. patience, courage, kindness, moderation) that allow you to meet well the specific challenges that your life brings.”

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Alex J. Hughes

Writer, Product Leader

“Stoicism is an operating system that allows you to quiet the noise, identify your guiding principles, and focus on what truly matters — living a meaningful life, as defined by you.”

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Piotr Stankiewicz

Author, Philosopher

“I’ll go with the 5 A’s principle. That is: accept the assignment and act ably!”

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Kai Whiting

Author, Researcher, Lecturer

“Stoicism is the lifelong art of living a life worthy of being lived.”

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Benny Voncken

Writer & Podcast Host, “ViaStoica”

“An ancient training program that echoes true till today, creating virtuous minds to deal in peace with all that fate has to offer.”

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Brandon Tumblin

Podcast Host, Coach, Writer

“Stoicism is about strength of character, and strength is the ability to resist . . . Stoics resist bodily desires, the pull to conform to the crowd, vicious temptations, fear within us pushing us into cowardice, etc. in such a way that is good for the cosmos, now, but also as we move forward in time.”

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Brendan Hogle

Writer & Podcast Host, “ViaStoica”

“Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that encourages focusing solely on what you can control—your thoughts and actions. It emphasizes the importance of observing ourselves and our emotions, recognizing their effects without being controlled by them. As we strengthen these skills, we grow in self-discipline and resilience, learning to embrace challenges with a sense of calm. Stoics strive to live in harmony with nature and reason, aiming for inner peace and tranquility through simplicity.”

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“When the only thing left to do is die, then die well.” — Phil Van Treuren

Death is such an important subject in Stoic philosophy, that some have said the ultimate goal of Stoicism is to learn how to die well. We all have a limited amount of time in the world, and death is one thing that we all have in common.

The Stoics believe that death is something we should be “indifferent” to, that is neither good nor bad, and that we can ultimately use to make the days we have on earth even better. When we face the prospect of death bravely and with a clear head, we can have an easier time making the most of the years of life that are given to us.

There are more Stoic quotes about death than almost any other topic, but here are a few of our favorites. We hope they help you gain some insights into how you can prepare for the end that’s facing all of us.

Stoic Quotes on Death & Grief from Marcus Aurelius

“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly. What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness.”

“You may leave this life at any moment: have this possibility in your mind in all that you do or say or think.”

“Don’t behave as if you are destined to live forever. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good. Now.”

“When the longest- and shortest-lived of us dies, their loss is precisely equal. For the sole thing of which any of us can be deprived is the present, since this is all we own, and nobody can lose what is not theirs.“

“Accept death in a cheerful spirit, as nothing but the dissolution of the elements from which each living thing is composed. If it doesn’t hurt the individual elements to change continually into one another, why are people afraid of all of them changing and separating? It’s a natural thing. And nothing natural is evil.”

“Some things are rushing into existence, others out of it. Some of what now exists is already gone. Change and flux constantly remake the world, just as the incessant progression of time remakes eternity. We find ourselves in a river. Which of the things around us should we value when none of them can offer a firm foothold?”

Stoic Quotes on Death & Grief from Epictetus

“I cannot escape death, but at least I can escape the fear of it.”

“Let death and exile, and all other things which appear terrible be daily before your eyes, but chiefly death, and you will never entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet anything.”

Stoic Quotes on Death & Grief from Seneca

“That man lives badly who does not know how to die well.”

“You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.”

“Death is not an evil. What is it then? The one law mankind has that is free of all discrimination.”

“Before I became old I tried to live well; now that I am old, I shall try to die well; but dying well means dying gladly.”

“No evil is great which is the last evil of all. Death arrives; it would be a thing to dread, if it could remain with you. But death must either not come at all, or else must come and pass away.”

“Human beings are the same joyful, resilient, imperfect people today that we were 100 years ago, 1,000 years ago, and 10,000 years ago. We have the same 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 minds.” — Phil Van Treuren

The ancient Stoics realized that time was one of our most valuable possessions, because we ultimately have a limited amount of it. As the quotes below will show you, time is something that’s given a lot of attention in Stoicism.

We only have one life, and once a moment passes by, it’s gone forever. Stoicism teaches that we should utilize every minute to make the most of our lives and seek wisdom and virtue.

Remember: it’s not necessarily the amount of time that you have in your life, but how you live the time you have that’s important. Keep that in mind as you read the Stoic quotes about time that we’ll share below, and don’t ever take one second for granted.

Stoic Quotes on Time & the Past from Marcus Aurelius

“Time is a river, a violent current of events, glimpsed once and already carried past us, and another follows and is gone.”

“Don’t waste the rest of your time here worrying about other people–unless it affects the common good. It will keep you from doing anything useful.”

“All that you see will soon have vanished, and those who see it vanish themselves, and the ones who reached old age have no advantage over the untimely dead.”

“Remember how long you’ve been putting this off . . . that there is a limit to the time assigned you, and if you don’t use it to free yourself it will be gone and will never return.”

“Remember: Matter — How tiny your share of it. Time — how brief and fleeting your allotment of it. Fate — How small a role you play in it.”

“Some things are rushing into existence, others out of it. Some of what now exists is already gone. Change and flux constantly remake the world, just as the incessant progression of time remakes eternity. We find ourselves in a river. Which of the things around us should we value when none of them can offer a firm foothold?”

Stoic Quotes on Time & the Past from Epictetus

“For I am not Eternity, but a human being; a part of the whole, as an hour is part of the day. I must come like the hour, and like the hour must pass!”

“No thing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.”

Stoic Quotes on Time & the Past from Seneca

“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.”

“The fool, with all his other faults, has this also, he is always getting ready to live.”

“Your actions might be up to you, but the outcomes are not. So stop judging yourself on whether or not you hit your targets. Instead, focus on how well you prepared for it. Focus on the process, not the outcome.” — Phil Van Treuren

Failure is something that every person gets to experience . . . sometimes in large amounts. The Stoics knew that failure itself isn’t necessarily good or bad, but can be either depending on how we approach it and choose to let it affect us.

As the stoic quotes on failure we’re listing here illustrate, Stoicism teaches that you can look at all failure as an opportunity. To learn, to better yourself, or even to just practice acceptance of things outside of your control.

Every life has more failure in it than success, but the people who take Stoic philosophy to heart and decide to look at failure as an opportunity will have much happier, fulfilling lives because of it. Take inspiration from these quotes that came from Stoics who met with plenty of failure in their own lives, but went on to become stronger because of it.

Stoic Quotes on Failure from Marcus Aurelius

“Here is a rule to remember in future, when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not ‘This is misfortune,’ but ‘To bear this worthily is good fortune.'”

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

“If you want momentum, you’ll have to create it yourself, right now, by getting up and getting started.”

“Just as nature takes every obstacle, every impediment, and works around it—turns it to its purposes, incorporates it into itself—so, too, a rational being can turn each setback into raw material and use it to achieve its goal.”

Stoic Quotes on Failure from Epictetus

“Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems”

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

Stoic Quotes on Failure from Seneca

“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”

“How does it help to make troubles heavier by bemoaning them?”

“Think your way through difficulties: harsh conditions can be softened, restricted ones can be widened, and heavy ones can weigh less on those who know how to bear them.”

“It is in times of security that the spirit should be preparing itself to deal with difficult times. While fortune is bestowing favors on it, then is the time for it to be strengthened against her rebuffs.”

“Birds weren’t given wings just to walk everywhere . . . and you weren’t born with resilience and a beautiful mind just to have an easy life.” — Phil Van Treuren

Adversity — also known as “facing challenges” or unexpected change — is a common theme touched on by Stoic quotes, because it’s an experience that’s so common across humanity. We all face adversity in our lives, and learning how to deal with it appropriately is an important part of being a successful, happy person.

When it comes to adversity, Stoicism generally advises that it isn’t good or bad, it just “is.” Like many things, we can turn it into an advantage if we look at challenges as a possibility to learn, grow and strengthen ourselves.

Learning how to use adversity in our lives as an advantage takes a long time to learn, and simply reading the Stoic quotes below shouldn’t be the extent of your exploration into this topic. True students of Stoicism looks at adversity not just as an unavoidable challenge to be accepted as part of life, but also as a chance to better themselves.

Stoic Quotes on Challenges & Adversity from Marcus Aurelius

“Ask, ‘Why is this so unbearable? Why can’t I endure it?’ You’ll be embarrassed to answer.”

“If you are pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs you, but your own judgment about it. And it is in your power to wipe out this judgment now.”

“A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.”

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

“Just as nature takes every obstacle, every impediment, and works around it—turns it to its purposes, incorporates it into itself—so, too, a rational being can turn each setback into raw material and use it to achieve its goal.”

Stoic Quotes on Challenges & Adversity from Epictetus

“The true man is revealed in difficult times. So when trouble comes, think of yourself as a wrestler whom God, like a trainer, has paired with a tough young buck. For what purpose? To turn you into Olympic-class material.”

“Every difficulty in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and to invoke our own inner resources. The trails we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths. Prudent people look beyond the incident itself and seek to form the habit of putting it to good use. On the occasion of an accidental event, don’t just react in a haphazard fashion: remember to turn inward and ask what resources you have for dealing with it. Dig deeply. You possess strengths you might not realize you have. Find the right one. Use it.”

Stoic Quotes on Challenges & Adversity from Seneca

“To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.”

“No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself.”

“I judge you unfortunate because you have never lived through misfortune. You have passed through life without an opponent— no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.”

“For we are naturally disposed to admire more than anything else the man who shows fortitude in adversity.”

“Fury is the weak person’s idea of strength, and saber-rattling is the simpleton’s idea of strategy. Focused calmness wins battles.” — Phil Van Treuren

There are few topics that Stoic philosophers have written on — or given more attention to — than that of anger. Stoicism teaches that anger is the most damaging and dangerous of all human emotions, and that we must try with all our might to overcome anger’s many pitfalls.

There are more Stoic quotes on anger than almost any other topic, and Seneca even wrote an entire book (well, a series of open letters) called “On Anger” that goes into painstaking detail about what causes rage it and how to prevent it.

After you’ve read the Stoicism quotes about anger listed below, don’t stop there. Take time to find more information about the advice that Stoics have given through the ages on how to stop being angry, because it could be one of the most important things you ever devote your attention to.

Stoic Quotes on Anger & Revenge from Marcus Aurelius

“The best way to avenge yourself is to not be like that.”

“To investigate and analyze, with understanding and logic, the principles we ought to live by. Not to display anger or other emotions. To be free of passion and yet full of love.”

“It is possible to curb your arrogance, to overcome pleasure and pain, to rise above your ambition, and to not be angry with stupid and ungrateful people— yes, even to care for them.”

“None of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him. We were born to work together like feet, hands, and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower. To obstruct each other is unnatural. To feel anger at someone, to turn your back on him: these are obstructions.”

“How much more harmful are the consequences of anger and grief than the circumstances that aroused them in us!”

Stoic Quotes on Anger & Revenge from Epictetus

“You must completely control your desire and shift your avoidance to what lies within your reasoned choice. You must no longer feel anger, resentment, envy, or regret.”

“Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running . . . therefore, if you want to do something make a habit of it, if you don’t want to do that, don’t, but make a habit of something else instead. The same principle is at work in our state of mind. When you get angry, you’ve not only experienced that evil, but you’ve also reinforced a bad habit, adding fuel to the fire.”

Stoic Quotes on Anger & Revenge from Seneca

“How much better to heal than seek revenge from injury. Vengeance wastes a lot of time and exposes you to many more injuries than the first that sparked it. Anger always outlasts hurt. Best to take the opposite course.”

“The greatest remedy for anger is delay.”

“What is more cruel than anger? What is more affectionate to others than man? Yet what is more savage against them than anger? Mankind is born for mutual assistance, anger for mutual ruin.”

“No plague has cost the human race more dear: you will see slaughterings and poisonings, accusations and counter-accusations, sacking of cities, ruin of whole peoples, the persons of princes sold into slavery by auction, torches applied to roofs, and fires not merely confined within city-walls but making whole tracts of country glow with hostile flame.”

“Human beings are the same joyful, resilient, imperfect people today that we were 100 years ago, 1,000 years ago, and 10,000 years ago. We have the same 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 minds.” — Phil Van Treuren

You could say that the ultimate goal of Stoic philosophy is to find the ability to be happy — truly happy — in any circumstance. The ancient philosophers who practiced Stoicism in their daily lives knew that it was within their power to choose to find happiness in their lives, regardless of what was happening externally.

Happiness truly is a choice, and the quotes from Stoics on how to be happy that we’re including below really illustrate that. It’s not events that make us happy, but our interpretation of those events.

Because Stoicism seeks to rid us of bad feelings and accentuate good feelings, there are plenty of great quotes on happiness throughout Stoic writing. These are just a few of the best ones, but we encourage you to seek out more that you can apply to your own life.

Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Marcus Aurelius

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.”

“Remember that very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all in yourself, in your way of thinking.”

“The happiness of those who want to be popular depends on others; the happiness of those who seek pleasure fluctuates with moods outside their control; but the happiness of the wise grows out of their own free acts.”

“To live happily is an inward power of the soul.”

“The happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal depends not on what he feels but on what he does; just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing.“

“I can at once become happy anywhere, for he is happy who has found himself a happy lot. In a word, happiness lies all in the functions of reason, in warrantable desires and virtuous practice.”

Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Epictetus

“Contentment, as it is a short road and pleasant, has great delight and little trouble.“

“Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from few wants.“

“Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.you will have over your own life.”

Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Seneca

“A man is as miserable as he thinks he is.”

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.“

“A good character is the only guarantee of everlasting, carefree happiness.“

“Happy is the man who can endure the highest and lowest fortune. He who has endured such vicissitudes with equanimity has deprived misfortune of its power.“

Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Viktor Frankl

“Life is not a quest for pleasure, or for power, but a quest for meaning.”

“It is the very pursuit of happiness that thwarts happiness.”

“For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it.”

Stoic Philosophy Quotes on Happiness, Pleasure & Joy in Life from Gaius Musonius Rufus

“Willingly accept the inevitable, and you will lead a life in harmony with the universe.”

“It’s not possible to live well today . . . unless you treat it as your last day.”

“Reflect on how many things have happened that you didn’t want, and yet they turned out for the best.”

More about the Most Famous Stoicism Quotes on Happiness & Ancient Stoic Philosophers

Stoicism, a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens in the early 3rd century BCE, teaches the development of self-control and virtue as a means to achieve a life in harmony with nature.

At the heart of Stoic teaching lies the pursuit of happiness, a joy that is rooted in tranquility and understanding rather than fleeting pleasures.

Over the years, numerous Stoic philosophers have penned their thoughts on happiness, and many of their quotes continue to inspire and guide individuals today. Here are a few more famous Stoic quotes on happiness in life and the philosophers behind them.

1. Seneca

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a Roman Stoic philosopher, has left us with a treasure trove of writings that address human suffering, ethics, and the good life. One of his most famous quotes on happiness states:

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing.”

This quote underscores the Stoic belief in the value of living in the present moment, free from the worries of the future or regrets from the past.

2. Marcus Aurelius

As a Roman Emperor and a Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius penned his personal reflections and ideas in what is now known as “Meditations”. He wrote:

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.”

Here, Marcus Aurelius reminds us of the Stoic principle that our external circumstances do not dictate our happiness, but rather our internal thoughts and reactions to those circumstances.

3. Epictetus

A former slave turned Stoic philosopher, Epictetus focused a lot on the distinction between things we can control and things we cannot. He believed that understanding and accepting this difference is key to achieving happiness. He stated:

“Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them.”

This quote emphasizes that our judgments and perceptions shape our emotions and our overall sense of well-being. It’s not events themselves that disturb us, but how we choose to perceive them.

4. Zeno of Citium

As the founder of Stoicism, Zeno’s teachings laid the groundwork for subsequent Stoic philosophers. His thoughts on happiness resonate with the core tenets of Stoicism:

“Happiness is a good flow of life.”

Zeno’s simple yet profound statement encapsulates the Stoic perspective that aligning oneself with the natural order and flow of the universe leads to genuine happiness.

5. Chrysippus

A central figure in the Stoic movement, Chrysippus expanded upon Zeno’s teachings. His views on happiness emphasize the significance of virtue:

“Happiness is the realization of one’s wishes; but the standard is not man’s ignorance but the nature of the thing.”

Chrysippus hints at the idea that happiness isn’t just about achieving our desires, but in aligning those desires with the greater good and nature’s way.

The Stoics believed that true happiness isn’t found in external possessions or circumstances but in cultivating an inner state of tranquility, virtue, and alignment with nature. Their teachings offer timeless wisdom, emphasizing that our thoughts and perceptions, more than external events, shape our contentment and joy.

The private diaries of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius were never meant to be published. Now known as “The Meditations,” this 2,000-year-old collection of notes were written only for the benefit of Marcus himself, who journaled in order to practice the teachings of Stoicism.

Today, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius are considered one of the greatest works of Stoic philosophy, and have been read by millions of people around the world. Many of them have wondered what the words in the ancent diary might have sounded like if they were spoken in the original Greek .

Although we don’t know exactly how Marcus Aurelius would have sounded if he were reading The Meditations out loud, today’s technology does allow us to hear something close to it. In this video, you’ll first hear a translation of Marcus’s words into English, followed by the same voice reading those passages in the original Greek.

Below, you can see each of the first five sections of Book One of The Meditations, with the English translations accompanied by how the passages look in Koine Greek.

Meditations Book 1.1

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From my grandfather: character and self-control.

Παρὰ τοῦ πάππου Οὐήρου τὸ καλόηθες καὶ ἀόργητον.

Meditations Book 1.2

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From the reputation and memory of my father: integrity and manliness.

Παρὰ τῆς δόξης καὶ μνήμης τῆς περὶ τοῦ γεννήσαντος τὸ αἰδῆμον καὶ ἀρρενικόν.

Meditations Book 1.3

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From my mother: her reverence for the divine, her generosity, abstaining not only from doing evil, but even from the thought of such things. And living a simple life — not at all like the rich.

Παρὰ τῆς μητρὸς τὸ θεοσεβὲς καὶ μεταδοτικὸν καὶ ἀφεκτικὸν οὐ μόνον τοῦ κακοποιεῖν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῦ ἐπὶ ἐννοίας γίνεσθαι τοιαύτης: ἔτι δὲ τὸ λιτὸν κατὰ τὴν δίαιταν καὶ πόρρω τῆς πλουσιακῆς διαγωγῆς.

Meditations Book 1.4

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From my great-grandfather: not to waste time in public schools, but rather to hire good private teachers at home. And to consider the cost of this as money well-spent.

Παρὰ τοῦ προπάππου τὸ μὴ εἰς δημοσίας διατριβὰς φοιτῆσαι καὶ τὸ ἀγαθοῖς διδασκάλοις κατ̓ οἶκον χρήσασθαι καὶ τὸ γνῶναι ὅτι εἰς τὰ τοιαῦτα δεῖ ἐκτενῶς ἀναλίσκειν.

Meditations Book 1.5

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From my first teacher: not to support one side or the other in chariot-races, or one fighter over another in the games. To bear hard work well and not make any demands of anyone. To do my own work, mind my own affairs, and not give any time to gossip.

Παρὰ τοῦ τροφέως τὸ μήτε Πρασιανὸς μήτε Βενετιανὸς μήτε Παλμουλάριος ἢ Σκουτάριος γενέσθαι: καὶ τὸ φερέπονον καὶ ὀλιγοδεές: καὶ τὸ αὐτουργικὸν καὶ ἀπολύπραγμον: καὶ τὸ δυσπρόσδεκτον διαβολῆς.

Many of the concepts you’ll come across in Stoicism are simple to understand, and don’t require any kind of formal education or list of definitions to get the gist of. For the most part, modern translations of writings from famous Stoic philosophers (like The Urban Enchiridion) use words and terminology that are easy for modern readers to comprehend.

If you’re interested in diving a bit deeper into the principles of Stoicism, though, it can help to have a broader understanding of a few terms that you’ll frequently come across in Stoicism books and lessons.

Some references to ancient Greek and Roman words — or philosophical concepts that aren’t commonly taught to new students — might be a bit confusing to someone who’s just starting to learn about Stoicism.

This guide to Stoic terms is meant to eventually be an all-encompassing glossary of every potentially confusing reference — including descriptions of words, people, places and concepts — that modern students of Stoicism might come across.

Stoic Words and How to Pronounce Them

For those of you who wonder how, exactly, you should pronounce these words, we’re also going to add audio to each word that will let you listen to someone saying them out loud. (One word of warning, though: these are the Americanized pronunciations of Greek words, so keep that in mind when you hear them.)

Oh, and one more thing: don’t be intimidated by the length of this list of definitions. Even if you don’t understand all of them, they really aren’t necessary learning for anyone who wants to practice Stoic thinking for themselves. These definitions are nice to know, but you don’t need to memorize them to get into Stoicism.

We’ll continue updating and expanding this guide over time, and we hope it helps you more easily to successfully apply the concepts of Stoicism to your life!

A Glossary of Stoic Words & Philosophical Concepts

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Adiaphora (ἀδιάφορα)

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Stuff that is indifferent, and not good or bad. In Stoicism, this applies to everything outside of our own choices.

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Agathos (ἀγαθός)

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An object of desire that is proper for someone to desire.

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Amor Fati

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Literally “to love your fate.” In Stoicism, it’s taught that we should learn to love everything that happens to us, because it all plays a part in the universe’s plan.

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Anthrôpos (ἄνθρωπος)

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A term that means “people” or “human beings,” as an individual or group.

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Apatheia (ἀπάθεια)

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The peaceful mind that one can achieve from being calm and without passions.

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Aphormê (ἀφορμή)

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The desire to avoid action or to not act.

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Apotynchanô (ἀποτυγχάνω)

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To miss your purpose, or to fail to achieve what you were aiming for.

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Aproêgmena (ἀπροηγμένα)

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Things that we don’t prefer to experience or have, but that we are still indifferent to, and that have no value of good or bad.

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Aretê (ἀρετή)

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The quality of human excellence or goodness.

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Askêsis (ἄσκησις)

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A kind of focused training that one does to become a virtuous person.

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Ataraxia (ἀταραξία)

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The tranquility that comes from not being upset or disturbed by things external to you.

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Axia (ἀξία)

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The real worth or value of things in our lives.

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Daimôn (δαίμων)

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The genius present in individual human beings; or, a kind of divine spirit found within.

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Diairesis (διαίρεσις)

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Dividing things into separate parts to analyze them. In Stoicism, this term is used when referring to what we can and cannot choose.

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Dianoia (διανοία)

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Human intelligence or thought.

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Dikaiosunê (δικαιοσύνη)

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An act or way of life that promotes righteousness and justice.

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Dogma (δόγμα)

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A person’s principles or reasoned judgments that come from their past experiences in the world.

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Dokimazein (δοκιμάζω)

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To examine something in close detail and put it to a test.

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Doxa (δόξα)

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Someone’s beliefs or opinions on something.

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Ekklisis (ἔκκλισις)

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Having a natural aversion to something, or being inclined to not want it or get away from it.

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Ekpyrôsis (ἐκπύρωσις)

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The concept that our universe is born and reborn in a constant, never-ending cycle.

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Eleutheria (ἐλευθερία)

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Liberty and freedom of mankind.

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Eph’ hêmin (ἐφ’ ἡμῖν)

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The things that are in our total control and that are truly up to us.

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Epistêmê (ἐπιστήμη)

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Knowledge that is true and certain.

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Ethos (ἔθος)

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A human being’s habits or things we are accustomed to doing.

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Eudaimonia (εὐδαιμονία)

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The ultimate happiness or well-being that a human can experience.

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Eupatheia (εὐπάθεια)

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Emotions that exist because of acting virtuously and using the correct judgments.

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Hamartanô (ἁμαρτάνω)

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To miss your goal, to fail in what you aimed for, or to do wrong.

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Hêgemonikon (ἡγεμονικόν)

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A person’s guiding principles and the internal reason that rules over their actions.

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Heimarmenê (εἱμαρμένη)

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Our destiny, or the fate that the universe has set for us.

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Hexis (ἕξις)

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Having a disposition for something, or having a certain habit or frame of mind.

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Hormê (ὁρμή)

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Action taken because of a positive impulse that we have toward an object.

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Hulê (ὕλη)

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The raw material, or the matter that composes or makes up something.

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Hypolêpsis (ὑπόληψις)

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Taking up a notion or an opinion about something; having an understanding of a concept.

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Kalos (καλός)

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Beauty, in terms of someone’s inner virtue or morality.

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Katalêpsis (κατάληψις)

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The sort of determined conviction or clear comprehension you need to act virtuously.

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Kathêkon (καθῆκον)

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The correct actions that one takes — or the duty they perform — on the way to being virtuous.

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Koinos (κοινός)

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Something that is shared in common with another concept or entity.

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Kosmos (κόσμος)

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The entire universe; the whole world and everything in it.

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Logos/ Logikos (λόγος/ λογικός)

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Rationality or reason as it exists in nature or the universe.

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Memento Mori

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“Remember you must die.” or “Remember your mortality.”

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Nomos (νόμος)

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A human custom, law or societal expectation.

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Oiêsis (οἴησις)

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Deceiving yourself with an arrogant or conceited opinion.

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Oikeiôsis (οἰκείωσις)

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Concerning an individual, the appropriation of self-ownership.

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Orexis (ὄρεξις)

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Having an inclination for something, or a desire for a thing.

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Ousia (οὐσία)

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A person’s inner substance, the stuff that makes up their being.

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Paideia (παιδεία)

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Education, teaching or training for something.

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Pathos (πάθος)

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The type of emotion often caused by mistaken judgments

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Phantasia (φαντασία)

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An impression or perception of something external.

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Phronêsis (φρόνησις)

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A type of wisdom that is practical and applicable to our lives in helpful ways.

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Physis (φύσις)

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The natural order of stuff; nature.

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Pneuma (πνεῦμα)

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In Stoicism, a part of the soul that can be disturbed by desires and aversions.

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Premedatatio Malorum

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Thinking ahead to things that might go wrong in our lives, so that we are better prepared to handle them.

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Proêgmena (προηγμένα)

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Preferred indifferents such as good health.

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Prohairesis (προαίρεσις)

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A human’s ability to choose and freedom to make choices in life.

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Prokopê (προκοπή)

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Moving along the path toward wisdom and virtue.

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Prolêpsis (πρόληψις)

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The ability to form conceptions (or preconceptions) that is possessed by human beings.

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Pronoia (πρόνοια)

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A type of foresight or foreknowledge of things.

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Prosochê (προσοχή)

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To be diligent, pay attention and approach life with sober reflection.

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Psychê (ψυχή)

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A human’s life or state of mind.

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Sophos (σοφός)

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The ideal concept of a Stoic who has reached a level to be called a Sage.

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Summum Bonum

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The ultimate good or highest goal.

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Sympatheia (συμπάθεια)

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Organic parts as they relate to the whole; sympathy.

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Synkatathesis (συγκατάθεσις)

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Giving our assent to judgments and impressions (usually before taking action).

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Technê (τέχνη)

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A profession or a vocation that involves skill, art or craft.

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Telos (τέλος)

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The final goal of a human’s life, or the objective they are striving to reach.

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Theôrêma (θεώρημα)

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Our general perceptions or principles of the truth.

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Theos (θεός)

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The power that created and gave order to the universe.

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Tonos (τόνος)

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A concept of repulsion and attraction; tension that leads to vice and virtue in human beings.

“You’ll never catalog every drop of water in the sea or wrest control from tempests, so don’t be distracted by the endless mysteries and terrors of the abyss. Instead, focus on the simple, vital task of rowing your boat.” — Phil Van Treuren

It’s one of the biggest, most important concepts in Stoicism: the idea of control. Stoics believe that the key to a happy life is understanding exactly what’s under our power, and what isn’t . . . and that accepting what’s not in our power makes us more powerful ourselves.

The person who only desires what is actually in his complete control — for instance, our opinions, our judgments and our attitude — is much more likely to live in harmony with nature and find inner peace.

There are more Stoic quotes that have to do with this “dichotomy of control” than almost any other topic, because it’s so crucial to the entire concept of Stoic philosophy. Check out the famous quotes below, but keep in mind that there’s lots more to learn about control in Stoic teachings!

Stoic Quotes on the Dichotomy of Control from Marcus Aurelius

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. Take control of what you think about.”

“Our control and power are limited to our own thoughts.”

“Do not waste time on what you cannot control.”

“The best way to control somebody is to encourage them to be independent.”

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

Stoic Quotes on the Dichotomy of Control from Epictetus

“It is not in our control to have everything turn out exactly as we want, but it is in our control to control how we respond to what happens.”

“The key to control is not in controlling external events, but in controlling your own mind.”

“The more you seek to control external events, the less control you will have over your own life.”

“You have control over your own thoughts and actions, but not over the thoughts and actions of others.”

“When you control your thoughts, you control your destiny.”

Stoic Quotes on the Dichotomy of Control from Seneca

“He who has control over himself has control over the world.”

“The things you really need are always within your control.”

“We have the power to control our own lives, to determine our own happiness and success.”

“Our problems are not only in our hands, but they are in our control.”

Stoic Quotes on the Dichotomy of Control from Viktor Frankl

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing . . . to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

“Decisions, not conditions, determine what a man is.”

“Every human being has the freedom to change at any instant.”

“When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, his unique opportunity lies in the way he bears his burden.”

Stoic Quotes on the Dichotomy of Control from Gaius Musonius Rufus

“Willingly accept the inevitable, and you will lead a life in harmony with the universe.”

“The soul is trained for courage when we show patience under hardships.”

“Reflect on how many things have happened that you didn’t want, and yet they turned out for the best.”

“Have a firm conviction that hardships, and even death, are not evils.”

More about the Most Famous Stoic Quotes & Philosophers

Stoicism is an ancient Greek school of philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. Over time, this philosophy spread throughout the Roman Empire and even into modern society, where it is still widely studied and practiced.

Stoicism is rooted in the belief that virtue (such as wisdom) is the only good and that the path to virtue is through self-control, rationality, and harmony with the natural world. A wealth of quotes from Stoic philosophers have transcended time to inspire countless individuals.

Here are some of the most famous Stoic quotes and the philosophers who penned them.

“We cannot control the external events around us, but we can control our reactions to them.” – Epictetus

Epictetus, a slave who later gained his freedom, emphasized the distinction between what we can control and what we cannot. This quote encapsulates the essence of Stoic thought: while the external world is beyond our control, our internal reactions and attitudes are entirely within our jurisdiction.

“The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injustice.” – Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a stoic philosopher. His “Meditations” is a collection of personal writings in which he outlines his Stoic philosophy. This particular quote advocates for maintaining one’s integrity and character, even when wronged by others. Rather than seeking revenge, the Stoic finds solace in upholding virtue.

“He who is brave is free.” – Seneca

Seneca the Younger was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and playwright. His works are considered essential reading for anyone interested in Stoic philosophy. This quote is an encouragement to face adversity courageously; for Seneca, courage and freedom are inextricably linked. The brave individual, by confronting rather than avoiding difficulties, gains a sense of autonomy and liberty.

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus

This quote from Epictetus emphasizes the importance of defining your principles and goals before taking action. It’s a reminder that in life, vision and action must go hand in hand.

“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” – Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius succinctly communicates the essence of Stoic action in this quote. Stoicism is not a philosophy to merely speculate upon but one to live by. The emphasis is on embodying the virtues you believe in, rather than discussing them abstractly.

“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” – Seneca

This quote underlines the Stoic view that adversity is not something to be avoided but embraced. Challenges are seen as opportunities for growth and development, both mentally and morally.

“Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems.” – Epictetus

Epictetus stresses how much of human suffering is self-inflicted through needless worrying about uncontrollable circumstances. The Stoic solution is to focus only on what one can control, primarily one’s own judgments and reactions.

“True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” – Seneca

This quote highlights the Stoic belief in the importance of living in the present moment, appreciating the ‘here and now’ without being overly concerned about future events that one cannot control.

These quotes and their authors form a mosaic that reveals the rich tapestry of Stoic philosophy, a school of thought that continues to offer profound insights into the human condition, thousands of years after its inception.

What is The Dichotomy of Control in Stoicism?

One of the most influential concepts in Stoic philosophy is the “dichotomy of control,” a principle most famously articulated by Epictetus in his “Enchiridion” (Handbook). The dichotomy of control distinguishes between things that are “up to us” (eph’ hēmin) and things that are “not up to us” (ouk eph’ hēmin). Epictetus argues that what is within our control are our own opinions, desires, aversions, and, to some extent, our own actions. Everything else, such as the actions of other people, external events, and outcomes, are not under our control.

The dichotomy of control serves as an essential guide for ethical conduct and mental well-being. By focusing solely on what we can control—mainly, our thoughts, emotions, and actions—we can remain serene and undisturbed by external events, no matter how challenging.

This doesn’t mean Stoics are passive or disengaged. On the contrary, Stoicism encourages proactive engagement with the world, but always with the understanding that the final outcomes are beyond one’s control. The aim is to do one’s best, act virtuously, and leave the rest to the unfolding of the natural world.

The dichotomy of control is not merely a philosophical abstraction but a practical mental tool that can be applied in everyday situations. For instance, if a person is stuck in traffic, getting frustrated or angry won’t change the situation, as it is outside of one’s control.

However, one can control their reaction to the event, choosing to use the time productively or simply practicing patience. In a professional context, one cannot control how colleagues act or the overall success of a project, but one can control their contributions, diligence, and integrity. By focusing on what is within one’s control, stress and anxiety can be minimized, making room for more constructive emotions and actions.

The concept of the dichotomy of control is deeply interwoven with Stoicism’s broader ethical framework. Stoics like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus employed this principle as a cornerstone of their philosophy, advocating its utility in achieving a tranquil mind and a virtuous life. Marcus Aurelius, for instance, in his “Meditations,” often reminds himself to focus on his own conduct and judgments rather than worrying about the opinions or actions of others. Seneca, too, in his essays and letters, echoes the importance of focusing on internal rather than external goods.

Stoicism offers a robust philosophical framework aimed at human flourishing, emphasizing rationality, virtue, and emotional resilience. The concept of the dichotomy of control, which delineates between what is and isn’t within our purview, serves as a vital tenet, providing practical guidance for navigating life’s complexities with equanimity and poise.