The Stoic Archer
“The archer ought to do all in his power to aim straight at the target.”
Cicero, On Ends, Book 3.6
What does a bow, an arrow, and a target have to do with philosophy? In Stoicism, everything. The image of the Stoic archer reminds us that while we can aim with skill and care, the final outcome, where the arrow lands, is never fully up to us. Virtue is the only true target, and wisdom lies in how we draw, aim, and let go.
In this reflection from The Via Stoica Podcast, Benny Voncken explores the ancient Stoic Archer analogy, what it teaches about control, intention, and acceptance, and how we can use it to guide our daily actions with reason and grace.
The Target: Aiming for Virtue
In Stoicism, the ultimate aim (telos) is not wealth, success, or pleasure, but virtue. The Stoic seeks to act with wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance, whatever the situation may bring. Everything else is secondary.
“Virtue is the only good. Everything else, health, reputation, money, is just a preferred indifferent.”
Benny Voncken, Via Stoica Podcast, The Stoic Archer (02:00)
By seeing virtue as our bullseye, we shift from chasing outcomes to refining character. We become archers of the soul, learning to hold steady even when the winds of fortune blow against us.
The Aim: Our Moral Choice
Every Stoic action begins with a moral choice. This is where the archer focuses attention, steady hands, a clear mind, and rational intent. Our “aim” is not in the external result but in the quality of our decision at the moment of action.
“Our aim really is our moral choice, to act with reason, to check our impressions, and to let the arrow of our decision fly.”
Benny Voncken, Via Stoica Podcast, The Stoic Archer (12:10)
This is where Epictetus’ dichotomy of control comes alive. We choose how to act, but we cannot choose how the world responds. Wisdom lies in that distinction.
The Release: Letting Go with Amor Fati
After aiming comes the hardest part, letting go. Once the arrow leaves our hands, its path belongs to fortune. The Stoic must release attachment to outcomes and trust the process.
“If we’re not able to let go, to surrender to fortune after we’ve done our best, we’ll never find peace.”
Benny Voncken, Via Stoica Podcast, The Stoic Archer (14:22)
This is where Amor Fati, love of fate, enters the practice. To love fate is not to give up, but to accept the outcome with serenity, knowing you acted with integrity.
The Bow and String: Living in Accordance with Nature
We can imagine the bow as the Logos, the rational order of the universe, and the string as our connection to it. The string represents oikeiōsis (self-appropriation) and sympatheia (interconnectedness). When we draw the bow in balance, we align with nature’s rhythm.
“The wood of the bow represents the Logos, nature itself, flexible, strong, logical. The string is our connection, our reason pulling in harmony with it.”
Benny Voncken, Via Stoica Podcast, The Stoic Archer (15:33)
Living in accordance with nature means finding that balance between tension and release, between reason and emotion, between effort and acceptance.
The Practice: Attention in the Present Moment
Like an archer adjusting his stance, the Stoic must stay present. Each shot is a new opportunity to practice awareness, reflection, and moral progress. The process, not the prize, defines growth. Every missed shot is feedback, not failure. Every moment is a new beginning.
Conclusion
The Stoic Archer analogy teaches us how to live deliberately: choose your target wisely, aim with reason, and release without regret. Virtue is the only true bullseye, and the act of aiming itself is the path to eudaimonia, the good life.
Watch to the full episode on YouTube: The Stoic Archer – Via Stoica Podcast
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Author Bio
Benny Voncken is the co-founder of Via Stoica, where he helps people apply Stoic philosophy to modern life. He is a Stoic coach, writer, and podcast host of The Via Stoica Podcast. With almost a decade of teaching experience and daily Stoic practice, Benny creates resources, workshops, and reflections that make ancient wisdom practical today.
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