What is Stoic Courage
Stoic courage is doing what is virtuous and just, even when it is difficult or requires sacrifice.
It is knowing what the just, rational, and natural thing to do is, and then doing it, even when it’s hard, even when it goes against your desires or aversions.
Epictetus, a former slave turned teacher, set the right example for his students. He taught that courage lives not only in grand gestures, but more so in small, deliberate acts of virtue, moment by moment. They don’t require to be seen, heard, or noticed, they are done because they are the right thing to do.
In this post, we look at 10 authentic quotes from Epictetus that define this Stoic courage and how you can practice it in your own life.
1. Courage Will Set You Free
“Wherever anyone is against his will, that is to him a prison.”
Epictetus, Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 12.23
The courageous person has no master, nor can she be locked up. When you are able to be virtuous in all your actions, your mind and soul will be free. Fear won’t hold you back, and no one can imprison what is yours.
Practice:
Listen to yourself and learn to see what you are doing against your will and against what is right. Pick a part of life where you struggle, work, a relationship, or ambitions, and ask yourself what you are not doing but should be doing.
2. Work With What You’re Given
“You should, then, accept the material you are given and set to work on it.”
Epictetus, Discourses, Book 2, Chapter 5.22
A big part of living the good life lies in accepting who you are. You don’t choose the raw materials of your life, but you do choose how you use them. Stoic courage is not wishing for things you do not have, but doing what is right with what you do have.
Practice:
Identify one thing you have not been able to accept about yourself. What would it look like to work with it rather than against it?
3. Let Difficulty Refine You
“Difficulties are the things that show what men are.”
Epictetus, Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 24.1
Marcus Aurelius said that the obstacle becomes the way. Seneca said that those who are unfortunate are fortunate. During difficult times, we get to see what we are made of, whether we can apply Stoic courage. These moments shape us and refine our true character. They will test our resolve in following Nature and virtue.
Practice:
Choose to see the next difficult moment as training. Ask, “What kind of person do I want to be right now?”
4. Be Invincible in What Matters
“Who, then, is the invincible man? He whom nothing outside the sphere of choice can disconcert.”
Epictetus, Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 18.21
To be courageous is to be undisturbed by anything outside your moral will. No insult, threat, or hardship can touch your character unless you let it. It takes a confident person to let the opinions and criticisms of others go and take them for what they are.
Practice:
Notice what disturbs you most. Is it within your sphere of choice? If not, let it go and focus on what is up to you.
5. Do Not Be Ruled by Fear
“It is not the things themselves that disturb people but their judgements about those things.”
Epictetus, Enchiridion, 5
Stoic courage begins with managing our impressions. Making sure that they are based on the truth and that our judgments follow that. Once we assent to the right impression, we need to act accordingly. The Stoic way is to correct your thoughts, not the world.
Practice:
When you feel fear rising, ask: “What story am I telling myself?” Look for the truth and find out what’s behind the fear.
6. Face Death (and Life) with Reason
“I must die: and must I die groaning too? Be fettered. Must it be lamenting too? – Exiled. Can anyone prevent me, then, from going with a smile and good cheer and serenity?”
Epictetus, Discourses, Book 1, Chapter 1.28
How we act and deal with life is our choice. But what is more important is how we deal with death. Stoic Courage means facing what must be faced, calmly, rationally, and without self-pity. Epictetus goes one step further, face it with a smile, good cheer, and serenity. This requires loving one’s fate. Understanding that this is the way, we will greet it with a cheer.
Practice:
Reflect: What inevitability are you resisting? What would acceptance look like today?
7. Resist the Urge to Complain
“Do not ask things to happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and your life will go smoothly.”
Epictetus, Handbook, 8
Stoic courage means setting aside your desires and aversions. Coming to terms with the present and embracing fate. This means stepping into the unknown and releasing your control over it. We want to have a sense of agency over what happens, but we don’t. Letting go of that desire is a big leap into life itself.
Practice:
What are you desiring or wishing to avoid at this moment? How do you plan to achieve this or control the outcome? Now let go of that feeling and reflect on where you are right now.
8. Do What Is Required, Not What Is Easy
“First tell yourself what sort of man you want to be; then act accordingly in all you do.”
Epictetus, Discourses, Book 3, Chapter 23.1
One of the scariest things we can do is find out who we are. There might be aspects of us that we are not that happy about or wish to hide. But the Stoics implore us to undertake that exploration. We must then tell ourselves what kind of person we wish to be. Courage is required for these steps, but true Stoic courage comes into play when we talk about acting this way. We can talk about it all we want, but we need to apply it.
Practice:
Write a simple statement: “I want to be the kind of person who…” Then act like it.
9. Be Willing to Be Misunderstood
“If you want to make progress, put up with being thought foolish and stupid with regards to externals.”
Epictetus, Handbook, 13
Often, it’s the opinions of others that keep us from doing what is right. We don’t want to be judged by them or become outcasts in society. Yet, we must keep in mind what is at stake here. We run the risk of damaging our character and our souls. If we do that, we would lose an even more important connection, the one with nature. Therefore, we must have the courage to let go of those opinions and do what is wise and just.
Practice:
Take one small action today that aligns with your values, not others’ opinions.
10. Act Like You Are Worthy
“How much longer will you wait before you think yourself worthy of the best things and transgress in nothing the distinctions laid down by reason?”
Epictetus, Handbook, 51
Many of us are waiting to act wisely and justly. It’s always tomorrow that we will start. But Stoic courage isn’t about becoming brave, it’s about being brave. We need to start recognizing that we’re already capable of living by reason, now. The only thing in your way is your own doubt and mind. You are worthy of living the good life. You’ve been given reason to do so; use it.
Practice:
Ask yourself: “What would it look like if I acted today as though I were truly worthy of a virtuous life?”
Conclusion: Stoic Courage Is a Daily Choice
To Epictetus, courage was not about running risks or emotional hype. It was a daily discipline, the inner strength to do what is right, regardless of pressure, pain, or sacrifice. You may never face war, but you’ll face your moments of fear, tension, and ethical crossroads every day. That is where Stoic courage lives, in knowing what the right thing to do is and then doing it.
Journaling Prompt:
Where in your life are you avoiding a difficult but right decision? What would the courageous version of you do?
Want to explore more Stoic strategies?
Book a free consultation with one of our Stoic Coaches to get support. Or read more quotes on our Epictetus Quotes page. Listen to the Via Stoica Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
0 Comments